Treatment of autoimmune conditions with Copolymer 1 and related copolymers

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to polypeptides containing at least three amino acids randomly joined in a linear array; wherein at least one of the three amino acids is an aromatic amino acid, at least one of the three amino acids is a charged amino acid and at least one amino acid is an aliphatic amino acid. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide contains three or four of the following amino acids: tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid or lysine. According to the present invention, the present polypeptides bind to antigen presenting cells, purified human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) and/or Copolymer 1-specific T cells. Moreover, according to the present invention, these polypeptides can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for treating autoimmune disease. The present invention further contemplates methods of treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the present polypeptides to the mammal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/768,872, filed Jan. 23, 2001 which is a continuation of PCT/US99/16747, filed Jul. 23, 1999, which claims the benefit of provisional applications 60/093,859 filed Jul. 23, 1998, 60/101,825, filed Sep. 25, 1998, 60/102,960, filed Oct. 2, 1998, 60/106,350, filed Oct. 30, 1998, and 60/108,184, filed Nov. 12, 1998, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

This invention was made in part with government support under grant CA47554 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating autoimmune diseases using therapeutically effective amounts of a polypeptide related to Copolymer 1. Copolymer 1 is a heterogeneous mixture of synthetic random linear copolymers of tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid and lysine and, in appropriate therapeutic amounts and average molecular sizes, is used to treat multiple sclerosis. When such mixtures of synthetic random linear copolymers consist essentially of the three of the four amino acids found in Copolymer 1, they are referred to as Terpolymers. The present invention relates in part to Terpolymers. Preferably, the Terpolymers are composed of tyrosine, alanine and lysine, or of glutamic acid, tyrosine and lysine, or of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine. Surprisingly, the Terpolymers have efficacy for treating a variety of auto-immune diseases and bind to Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules as well as to antigen presenting cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Autoimmune diseases occur when an organism's immune system fails to recognize some of the organism's own tissues as “self” and attacks them as “foreign.” Normally, self-tolerance is developed early by developmental events within the immune system that prevent the organism's own T cells and B cells from reacting with the organism's own tissues. MHC cell surface proteins help regulate these early immune responses by binding to and presenting processed peptides to T cells.

This self-tolerance process breaks down when autoimmune diseases develop. Now the organism's own tissues and proteins are recognized as “autoantigens” and are attacked by the organism's immune system. For example, multiple sclerosis is believed to be an autoimmune disease occurring when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, whose function is to insulate and protect nerves. It is a progressive disease characterized by demyelination, followed by neuronal and motor function loss. Rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”) is also believed to be an autoimmune disease which involves chronic inflammation of the synovial joints and infiltration by activated T cells, macrophages and plasma cells, leading to a progressive destruction of the articular cartilage. It is the most severe form of joint disease. The nature of the autoantigen(s) attacked in rheumatoid arthritis is poorly understood, although collagen type II is a candidate.

A tendency to develop multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis is inherited—these diseases occur more frequently in individuals carrying one or more characteristic MHC class II alleles. For example, inherited susceptibility for rheumatoid arthritis is strongly associated with the MHC class II DRB1 *0401, DRB 1 *0404, or DRB 1*0405 or the DRB1*0101 alleles. The histocompatibility locus antigens (HLA) are found on the surface of cells and help determine the individuality of tissues from different persons. Genes for histocompatibility locus antigens are located in the same region of chromosome 6 as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The MHC region expresses a number of distinctive classes of molecules in various cells of the body, the genes being, in order of sequence along the chromosome, the Class I, II and III MHC genes. The Class I genes consist of HLA genes, which are further subdivided into A, B and C subregions. The Class II genes are subdivided into the DR, DQ and DP subregions. The MHC-DR molecules are the best known; these occur on the surfaces of antigen presenting cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells of lymphoid tissue and epidermal cells. The Class III MHC products are expressed in various components of the complement system, as well as in some non-immune related cells.

A number of therapeutic agents have been developed to treat autoimmune diseases, including steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, methotrexate; various interferons; and certain inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. However, these agents can be toxic when used for more than short periods of time or cause undesirable side effects. Other therapeutic agents bind to and/or inhibit the inflammatory activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), for example, anti-TNF specific antibodies or antibody fragments, or a soluble form of the TNF receptor. These agents target a protein on the surface of a T cell and generally prevent interaction with an antigen presenting cell (APC). However, therapeutic compositions containing natural folded proteins are often difficult to produce, formulate, store, and deliver. Moreover, the innate heterogeneity of the immune system can limit the effectiveness of drugs and complicate long-term treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Thus in order to effectively treat autoimmune diseases and other immune conditions, new drugs are needed that do not have the side effects of the present therapeutic agents and which adequately address to the innate heterogeneity of the immune system.

REFERENCES

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, Copolymer 1 and the Terpolymers of the present invention can be used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases in a heterogeneous patient population. These Terpolymers can inhibit some of the physiological responses of T cells that attack self-antigens as these diseases progress. Moreover, Copolymer 1 and the Terpolymers of the present invention bind with high affinity to antigen presenting cells from different genetic backgrounds and to several class II MHC molecules to block immune cell recognition and attack. In addition, the Terpolymers can stimulate the growth and functioning of Copolymer 1-specific T cells to further treat and prevent various autoimmune diseases.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition having a polypeptide comprising three different amino acids selected from the group of amino acids comprising Copolymer 1, that is, glutamic acid, alanine, lysine, and tyrosine, in the approximate relative molar ratios found in Copolymer 1.

The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions which include a therapeutically effective amount of a Terpolymer consisting essentially of amino acids tyrosine, alanine and lysine, in the molar ratio of from about 0.005 to about 0.25 tyrosine, from about 0.3 to about 0.6 alanine, and from about 0.1 to about 0.5 lysine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This Terpolymer is preferably substantially free of glutamic acid.

The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition which includes a therapeutically effective amount of a Terpolymer consisting essentially of glutamic acid, tyrosine and lysine, in the molar ratio of from about 0.005 to about 0.300 glutamic acid, from about 0.005 to about 0.250 tyrosine; and from about 0.3 to about 0.7 lysine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The Terpolymer is preferably substantially free of alanine.

The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions which include a therapeutically effective amount of a Terpolymer consisting essentially of amino acids tyrosine, glutamic acid and alanine in the molar ratio of from about 0.005 to about 0.25 tyrosine, from about 0.005 to about 0.3 glutamic acid, and from about 0.005 to about 0.8 alanine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This Terpolymer is preferably substantially free of lysine.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition which includes a therapeutically effective amount of a Terpolymer consisting essentially of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine, in the molar ratio of from about 0.005 to about 0.3 glutamic acid, from about 0.005 to about 0.6 alanine; and from about 0.2 to about 0.7 lysine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This Terpolymer is preferably substantially free of tyrosine.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition to treat autoimmune diseases which includes a therapeutically effective amount of Copolymer 1 or a polypeptide consisting essentially of glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine and lysine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The present invention further provides methods for treating and preventing autoimmune diseases in a mammal which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising Copolymer 1 or a Terpolymer. In another embodiment, the method for treating autoimmune diseases in a mammal further involves inhibiting proliferation of T cells involved in the immune attack. In another embodiment, the method for treating autoimmune diseases in a mammal involves binding the Terpolymer to an antigen presenting cell. In yet another embodiment, the method for treating autoimmune disease in a mammal involves binding the Terpolymer to a major histocompatibility complex class II protein which is associated with autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases contemplated by the present invention include arthritic conditions, demyelinating diseases and inflammatory diseases. For example, autoimmune diseases which can be treated by the present compositions include multiple sclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune oophoritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune uveoretinitis, Crone's disease, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, colitis, contact sensitivity disease, diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, idiopathic myxedema, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. The present compositions can be used to treat one or more of these diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As used below

“GAL” is a random terpolymer of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine;

“TGA” or “YEA” is a random terpolymer of tyrosine, glutamic acid, and alanine;

“TAL” or “YAK” is a random terpolymer of tyrosine, alanine, and lysine;

“GTL” or “YEK” is a random terpolymer of glutamic acid, tyrosine, and lysine; and

“YEAK” is Copolymer 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates the effect of Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers on proliferation of T cells which are specific for certain myelin basic protein (MBP) peptides. Several of the present Terpolymers inhibit proliferation of T cell lines which are specific for myelin basic protein antigen, MBP 84-102 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The following symbols were used: Copolymer 1 (); GAL (□); TGA (Δ); TAL (∘); GTL (X). FIG. 1A illustrates inhibition of the proliferation of mouse T cell clone MBP-sp-1 specific to MBP 84-102 peptide (0.5 g/well). As a control, proliferation of mouse T cell clone MBP-sp-1 stimulated by MBP 84-102 (SEQ ID NO: 1) without inhibitor was 21,145 cpm. FIG. 1B illustrates inhibition of the response of human T cell clone GP-25 to MBP 84-102 peptide (0.125 g/well). Proliferation of human T cell clone GP-25 stimulated by MBP 84-102 (SEQ ID NO: 1) peptide without inhibitor was 11,442 cpm.

FIG. 2A compares binding of the present polypeptides with the binding of Copolymer 1, to Class II major histocompatibility molecules DR1 (top), DR2 (middle) and DR4 (bottom). Binding by Copolymer 1 (▪), was compared to binding by the following biotinylated Terpolymers: GAL (□); TGA (▴); GTL (Δ); and TAL (♦). The amount of Class II major histocompatibility molecule was held constant at 0.5 μg/sample and the concentration of polypeptide was varied between 0-8 μM as indicated on the γ-axis. Binding was at pH 5.0 for 40 hr at 37° C. Binding was detected by capturing the polypeptide-class II complexes with an LB3.1 antibody and detecting the amount of biotinylated polypeptide bound by monitoring the absorbency at 410 nm after reaction with streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase.

FIG. 2B provides Lineweaver-Burke plots of the binding data provided in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates the competitive inhibition of Copolymer 1 binding to Class II major histocompatibility molecules by the present polypeptides. Purified HLA-DR 1 (top), HLA-DR2 (middle) and HLA-DR4 (bottom) molecules were incubated with a constant amount (1.5 μM) of biotinylated Copolymer 1, either alone or in the presence of one of the following unlabeled polypeptides: Copolymer 1 (▪); GAL (□); TGA (▴); GTL (Δ); and TAL (♦). Inhibition by these polypeptides was compared to inhibition by the myelin basic protein antigen HA 306-318 (◯) (SEQ ID NO: 2). Binding was at pH 5.0 for 40 hr at 37° C. The amount of unlabeled polypeptide was varied between 0.1-1000 μM, as indicated on the γ-axis. Specific binding is expressed as the percentage of inhibition using equation 1:

$\begin{matrix} {{{percent}\mspace{14mu} {inhibition}} = {100 - {\frac{\begin{pmatrix} {{{signal}\mspace{14mu} {with}}\mspace{14mu}} \\ {{competitor} -} \\ {background} \end{pmatrix}}{\begin{pmatrix} {{{signal}\mspace{14mu} {without}}\mspace{14mu}} \\ {{competitor} -} \\ {background} \end{pmatrix}} \times 100}}} & 1 \end{matrix}$

FIG. 4A illustrates the competitive inhibition of TAL binding to Class II major histocompatibility molecules by bacterial superantigens SEA, SEB and TSST-1. Purified HLA-DR1 (top), HLA-DR2 (middle) and HLA-DR4 (bottom) molecules were incubated with a constant amount of biotinylated TAL, in the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled bacterial superantigen SEA (□); SEB (▪); or TSST-1 (). Binding was at pH 5.0 for 40 hr at 37° C. The amount of superantigen was varied between 0.1-1000 μM, as indicated on the γ-axis. Specific binding is expressed as the percentage of inhibition using equation 1.

FIG. 4B illustrates the competitive inhibition of TGA binding to Class II major histocompatibility molecules by bacterial superantigens SEA, SEB and TSST-1. Purified HLA-DR1 (top), HLA-DR2 (middle) and HLA-DR4 (bottom) molecules were incubated with a constant amount of biotinylated polypeptide TGA, in the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled bacterial superantigen SEA (□); SEB (▪); or TSST-1 (). Binding was at pH 5.0 for 40 hr at 37° C. The amount of superantigen was varied between 0.1-1000 μM, as indicated on the γ-axis. Specific binding is expressed as the percentage of inhibition, calculated according to equation above 1.

FIG. 4C illustrates the competitive inhibition of GAL binding to Class II major histocompatibility molecules by bacterial superantigens SEA, SEB and TSST-1. Purified HLA-DR1 (top), and HLA-DR2 (bottom) molecules were incubated with a constant amount of biotinylated GAL, in the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled bacterial superantigen SEA (□); SEB (▪); or TSST-1 (). Binding was at pH 5.0 for 40 hr at 37° C. The amount of superantigen was varied between 0.1-1000 μM, as indicated on the γ-axis. Specific binding is expressed as the percentage of inhibition using equation 1 above.

FIG. 5 shows inhibition of binding of labeled molecules to MHC class II purified proteins by Terpolymers of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows inhibition of binding to the MHC HLA-DR1 protein. FIG. 5B shows inhibition of binding to the MHC HLA-DR4 protein. Unlabeled competitors include Terpolymers of the present invention, influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) peptide 306-318 (SEQ ID NO:2), and type II collagen (CII) peptide 261-273 (SEQ ID NO:3). The concentration of unlabeled competitor is indicated on the abscissa. In each panel, inhibition by CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO:3) is shown as open circles (◯), inhibition by HA 306-318 (SEQ ID NO: 2) is shown by solid circles (), inhibition by one of the present terpolymers is indicated as shown by open or solid triangles or squares. The extent of inhibition by GTL is shown using open triangles (Δ), by TAL is shown as solid triangles (▴), by TGA as open squares (□), and by Copolymer 1 as solid squares (▪). Specific binding observed and shown on the ordinate was calculated as percentage of inhibition using equation 1 above.

FIG. 6 shows inhibition of IL-2 production by DR1-restricted-CII-specific T cell hybridomas in the presence of different polypeptides of the present invention. Irradiated L57.23 cells (fibroblasts transfected with a gene encoding HLA-DR1) were coincubated in duplicate with collagen peptide CII 261-273 (40 μg/ml) and varying concentrations, shown on the abscissa, of one of the present polypeptides for 2 hr at 37° C., then T cells (clone 3.19 or 19.3 as indicated) were added, and the mixtures were further incubated for 24 hr at 37° C. Supernatants (30 μl) were then removed, and were assayed for activation by IL-2-induced proliferation of IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL-L). The extent of inhibition by TAL is shown as solid circles (), by TGA as solid triangles (▴), by GTL as open triangles (Δ), and by Copolymer 1 as solid squares (▪). Percent inhibition of CTL-L proliferation shown on the ordinate was calculated according to equation 1.

FIG. 7 shows inhibition of IL-2 production by DR4-restricted CII-specific T cell hybridomas (3838 and D3) in the presence of different polypeptides of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows the effects of coincubating irradiated 3838 or D3 Priess cells with collagen peptide CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3) at the fixed concentration of 40 μg/ml, and with varying concentrations of each of the present polypeptides, for 2 hr at 37° C. FIG. 7B shows the effects of incubating L cells transfected with a gene encoding HIA-DR4 with collagen peptide CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO:3) at the fixed concentration of 40 μg/ml, and with varying concentrations of each of the present polypeptides, for 2 hr at 37° C. T cells were then added (clones 3838 or D3 as indicated), samples were further incubated for 24 hr at 37° C., and supernatants were assayed as described in FIG. 6. Each polypeptide was tested in duplicate. The concentration of the present polypeptides is indicated on the abscissa. The same symbols as used in FIG. 6 are used for this figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, polypeptides having at least three different amino acids randomly polymerized in a linear configuration are useful for treating autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system inappropriately attacks certain tissues or cells. The polypeptides of the present invention can prevent the immune system from attacking, for example, by suppressing the proliferation or function of T or B cells responsible for the attack, or by shielding the tissue from attack by binding to a MHC protein on the surface of the cells that make up the tissue.

Amino acids of the present invention include, but are not limited to the 20 commonly occurring amino acids. Also included are naturally occurring and synthetic derivatives, for example, selenocysteine. Amino acids further include amino acid analogs. An amino acid “analog” is a chemically related form of the amino acid having a different configuration, for example, an isomer, or a D-configuration rather than an L-configuration, or an organic molecule with the approximate size and shape of the amino acid, or an amino acid with modification to the atoms that are involved in the peptide bond, so as to be protease resistant when polymerized in a polypeptide.

The phrases “amino acid” and “amino acid sequence” as defined here and in the claims can include one or more components which are amino acid derivatives and/or amino acid analogs comprising part or the entirety of the residues for any one or more of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids indicated by that sequence.

For example, in an amino acid sequence having one or more tyrosine residues, a portion of one or more of those residues can be substituted with homotyrosine. Further, an amino acid sequence having one or more non-peptide or peptidomimetic bonds between two adjacent residues, is included within this definition.

The one letter and three letter amino acid codes (and the amino acid that each represents) are as follows: A means ala (alanine); C means cys (cysteine); D means asp (aspartic acid); E means glu (glutamic acid); F means phe (phenylalanine); G means gly (glycine); H means his (histidine); I means ile (isoleucine); K means lys (lysine); L means leu (leucine); M means met (methionine); N means asn (asparagine); P means pro (proline); Q means gln (glutamine); R means arg (arginine); S means ser (serine); T means thr (threonine); V means val (valine); W means trp (tryptophan); and Y means tyr (tyrosine).

The term “hydrophobic” amino acid is defined here and in the claims as including aliphatic amino acids alanine (A, or ala), glycine (G, or gly), isoleucine (I, or ile), leucine (L, or leu), proline (P, or pro), and valine (V, or val), the terms in parentheses being the one letter and three letter standard code abbreviations for each amino acid, and aromatic amino acids tryptophan (W, or trp), phenylalanine (F or phe), and tyrosine (Y, or tyr). The amino acids confer hydrophobicity as a function of the length of aliphatic and size of aromatic side chains, when found as residues within a protein.

The term “charged” amino acid is defined here and in the claims as including amino acids aspartic acid (D, or asp), glutamic acid (E, or glu), histidine (H, or his), arginine (R, or arg) and lysine (K, or lys), which confer a positive (his, lys and arg) or negative (asp and gly) charge at physiological values of pH in aqueous solutions on proteins containing these residues.

Polypeptide Compositions Contemplated by the Invention

The polypeptides of the present invention comprise Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers consisting essentially of three of the four amino acids of Copolymer 1, namely tyrosine, glutamic acid, alanine and lysine. However, one of skill in the art can readily substitute structurally-related and/or charge-related amino acids without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Thus, the present invention further contemplates conservative amino acid substitutions for tyrosine, glutamic acid, alanine and lysine in the present polypeptides. Such conservative substitutions are structurally-related amino acid substitutions, including those amino acids which have about the same charge, hydrophobicity and size as tyrosine, glutamic acid, alanine or lysine. For example, lysine is structurally-related to arginine and histidine; glutamic acid is structurally-related to aspartic acid; tyrosine is structurally-related to serine, threonine, phenylalanine and tryptophan; and alanine is structurally-related to valine, leucine and isoleucine. These and other conservative substitutions, such as structurally-related synthetic amino acids, are contemplated by the present invention.

Moreover, the Terpolymers can be composed of l- or d-amino acids. As is known by one of skill in the art, l-amino acids occur in most natural proteins. However, d-amino acids are commercially available and can be substituted for some or all of the amino acids used to make the Terpolymers. The present invention contemplates Terpolymers formed from mixtures of d- and I-amino acids, as well as Terpolymers consisting essentially of either I- or d-amino acids.

The average molecular weight and the average molar fraction of the amino acids in the Terpolymers can vary. However, an average molecular weight range of about 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons is contemplated. A preferred average molecular weight range is from about 4,000 to about 12,000 daltons. Preferred average molecular weight ranges and processes of making the Terpolymers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,808, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides Terpolymers containing tyrosine, alanine and lysine. The average molar fraction of the amino acids in these Terpolymers can vary, for example, tyrosine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; alanine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.3 to about 0.6; and lysine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.1 to about 0.5. The average molecular weight is between 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons and preferably between about 3,000 to about 35,000 daltons. In a more preferred embodiment, the average molecular weight is about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides Terpolymers containing tyrosine, glutamic acid and lysine. The average molar fraction of the amino acids in these polypeptides can also vary, for example, glutamic acid can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300, tyrosine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; lysine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.3 to about 0.7. The average molecular weight is between 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons and preferably between about 3,000 to about 35,000 daltons. In a more preferred embodiment, the average molecular weight is about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides Terpolymers containing glutamic acid, alanine and lysine. The average molar fraction of the amino acids in these polypeptides can also vary, for example, glutamic acid can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300, alanine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.600; lysine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.2 to about 0.7. The average molecular weight is between 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons and preferably between about 3,000 to about 35,000 daltons. In a more preferred embodiment, the average molecular weight is about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides Terpolymers containing tyrosine, glutamic acid and alanine. The average molar fraction of the amino acids in these polypeptides can also vary, for example, tyrosine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; glutamic acid can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300; and alanine can be present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.800. The average molecular weight is between 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons and preferably between about 3,000 to about 35,000 daltons. In a more preferred embodiment, the average molecular weight is about 5,000 to about 25,000 daltons.

In a more preferred embodiment, the mole fraction of amino acids of the Terpolymers is about what is preferred for Copolymer 1. The mole fraction of amino acids in Copolymer 1 is glutamic acid (about 0.14), alanine (about 0.43), tyrosine (about 0.10) and lysine (about 0.34). The most preferred average molecular weight for Copolymer 1 is between about 5,000 and about 9,000 daltons.

The molar ratios of the monomers of the more preferred terpolymer of glutamic acid, alanine and tyrosine is about 0.21 to about 0.65 to about 0.14.

The molar ratios of the monomers of the more preferred terpolymer of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine is about 0.15 to about 0.48 to about 0.36.

The molar ratios of the monomers of the more preferred terpolymer of glutamic acid, tyrosine, and lysine is about 0.26 to about 0.16 to about 0.58.

The molar ratios of the monomers of the more preferred terpolymer of tyrosine, alanine and lysine is about 0.10 to about 0.54 to about 0.35.

In one embodiment, the Terpolymers of the present invention are capable of binding to an MHC class II protein which, preferably, is associated with an autoimmune disease. Any available method can be used to ascertain whether the Terpolymer binds to one or more MHC class II proteins. For example, the polypeptide can be labeled with a reporter molecule (such as a radionuclide or biotin), mixed with a crude or pure preparation of MHC class II protein and binding is detected if the reporter molecule adheres to the MHC class II protein after removal of the unbound polypeptide.

In another embodiment, the Terpolymers of the invention are capable of binding to an MHC class II protein associated with multiple sclerosis. A polypeptide of this embodiment can have similar or greater affinity for the antigen binding groove of an MHC class II protein associated with multiple sclerosis than does Copolymer 1. Hence, the contemplated polypeptide can inhibit binding of or displace the binding of myelin autoantigens from the MHC class II protein. One MHC class II protein associated with multiple sclerosis is HLA-DR4 (DRB1*1501).

In another embodiment, Copolymer 1 and the Terpolymers of the invention are capable of binding to an MHC class II protein associated with an arthritic condition, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Copolymer 1 or a Terpolymer of this embodiment can have a greater affinity for the antigen binding groove of an

MHC class II protein associated with the autoimmune disease than does a type II collagen 261-273 (SEQ ID NO:3) peptide. Hence, the contemplated Copolymer 1 or Terpolymers can inhibit binding of or displace the type II collagen 261-273 peptide from the antigen binding groove of an MHC class II protein. The Class II MHC protein consists of approximately equal-sized a and β subunits, both of which are transmembrane proteins. A peptide-binding cleft is formed by parts of the amino termini of both α and β subunits. This peptide-binding cleft is the site of presentation of the antigen to T cells. There are at least three types of Class II MHC molecules: HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP molecules. There are also numerous alleles encoding each type of these HLA molecules. The Class II MHC molecules are expressed predominantly on the surfaces of B lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells such as macrophages.

The present Terpolymers can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, sweeteners and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be prepared from a wide range of materials including, but not limited to, flavoring agents, sweetening agents and miscellaneous materials such as buffers and absorbents that may be needed in order to prepare a particular therapeutic composition. The use of such media and agents with pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions. The present compositions may be formulated as an injectable solution or suspension, a spray solution or a suspension.

Therapeutic Methods Contemplated by the Invention

The present invention further provides methods for treating and preventing autoimmune diseases in a mammal which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition having a polypeptide containing at least three different amino acids selected from the group consisting of the amino acids which comprise Copolymer 1, namely glutamic acid, tyrosine, lysine, and alanine, wherein the selected amino acids are randomly polymerized in a linear configuration. In one embodiment the polypeptide is Copolymer 1 or a Terpolymer.

Autoimmune diseases contemplated by the present invention include either cell-mediated disease (e.g. T-cell) or antibody-mediated (e.g. B cell) disorders. Such disorders can be inter alia arthritic conditions, demyelinating diseases and inflammatory diseases. For example, autoimmune diseases which can be treated by the present polypeptides include multiple sclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune oophoritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune uveoretinitis, Crohn's disease, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, colitis, contact sensitivity disease, diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, idiopathic myxedema, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus, The present compositions can be used to treat one or more of these diseases.

The term “arthritic condition” as used herein is a condition wherein at least one symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is observed in at least one joint of a mammal, for example in a shoulder, knee, hip, backbone or a digit of the mammal. Examples of arthritic conditions include “Polyarthritis”, which is an arthritic condition that affects more than a single joint; “juvenile arthritis”, an arthritic condition of humans under the age of 21; and Felty's syndrome, which can include the symptoms of neutropenia, splenomegaly, weight loss, anemia, lymphadenopathy, and pigment spots on the skin.

In one embodiment, any autoimmune disease can be treated by the present polypeptides so long as the contemplated polypeptide binds to an MHC class II protein that has been associated with the autoimmune disease. One aspect of this embodiment provides a method which includes selecting a polypeptide that inhibits binding of an antigenic peptide to an MHC class II protein, for example, a method wherein step (a) further comprises selecting the heteropolymer that inhibits class II-specific T cell responses to an MHC class II protein-peptide complex, and a method wherein the antigenic peptide is associated with an autoimmune disease; in another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided wherein the MHC class II protein is associated with an autoimmune disease.

In another embodiment, the method for treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal further involves inhibiting the proliferation or function of T cells which are responsive to an autoantigen. RA is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease which can be treated with the present polypeptides. The pathological process of autoimmune diseases and immune rejection is mediated by T cells. Upon binding to and recognition of an antigen, T cells proliferate, secrete cytokines and recruit additional inflammatory and cytotoxic cells to the site. The present polypeptides prevent T cell proliferation and T cell functions such as cytokine secretion and recruitment of inflammatory and cytotoxic cells to the site. When the autoimmune disease is an arthritic condition the autoantigen can be collagen, and the present polypeptides can inhibit the proliferation and function of collagen-responsive T cells.

In another embodiment, the method for treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal involves binding the polypeptide to an antigen presenting cell such as a macrophage, a dendritic cell of the lymphoid tissue or an epidermal cell. The proliferation and functions of a T cell are activated when an appropriate antigen is presented to it. By binding to antigen presenting cells, the present polypeptides may block or otherwise interfere with T cell activation.

In yet another embodiment, the method for treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal involves binding the polypeptide to a major histocompatibility complex class II protein which is associated with an autoimmune disease. The Class II MHC proteins are expressed predominantly on the surfaces of B lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells such as macrophages. These Class II MHC proteins have a peptide-binding cleft which is the site at which antigenic peptides are presented to T cells. When the present polypeptides bind to a major histocompatibility complex class II protein, those polypeptides can block or otherwise interfere with antigen presentation and/or T cell activation.

In another embodiment, the method for treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal involves binding the polypeptide to Copolymer 1-reactive B cell antibodies, and/or Copolymer 1-reactive T cells. Copolymer 1-reactive T_(H)2/3 T cells facilitate the therapeutic effects of Copolymer 1. When binding to Copolymer 1-reactive T cells, the present polypeptides stimulate those T cells to proliferate, secrete antiinflammatory cytokines and enhance the therapeutic benefits of treatment by the present methods. According to the present invention, the present polypeptides also bind to autoantigen-reactive antibodies which may block the antibody from attacking the target tissue, thereby helping to prevent the autoimmune disease from progressing. For example, when the present polypeptides are bound to MBP-specific antibodies, those antibodies may not bind to MBP and thereby lead to the destruction of MBP in the myelin sheath.

The present polypeptides may be administered by any convenient route. In one embodiment the present polypeptides can be administered by injection to facilitate delivery to the tissues affected by the autoimmune disease. Thus, the present polypeptides may, for example, be injected, ingested, inhaled, or topically applied. The subject polypeptides may be incorporated into a cream, solution or suspension for topical administration. The present polypeptides are preferably administered orally, topically or by injection without addition of an adjuvant.

Useful Kits of the Invention

Another embodiment of the invention, provides a kit for assaying the binding of an analyte to an MHC protein, which includes a water-soluble MHC protein which has been recombinantly produced in a non-mammalian cell, and a means for detection of the bound analyte on the MHC protein, and instructions for use. The MHC protein used in the kit is an MHC class II protein selected from the group consisting of an MHC class II HLA-DR1 protein, an MHC class II HLA-DR2 protein and an MHC class II HLA-DR4 protein. The kit can further comprise an autoantigenic peptide.

In a preferred embodiment, the MHC class II protein is produced in an invertebrate or a microbial cell, such as an insect cell or a yeast cell and is therefore devoid of bound peptide in the antigen cleft. The means for detecting binding of the analyte to the MHC protein can be any radioactive, fluorimetric, chemiluminescent, enzymatic or colorimetric means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the MHC protein is a class II HLA-DR1 or HLA-DR4 protein. Further, the kit can include also an autoantigenic peptide, such as a collagen II peptide, or a peptide derived from myelin basic protein, myelin oligodendrite protein, or a peptide from some other protein implicated in an autoimmune disease.

Synthesis of the Terpolymers of the Invention

The Terpolymers can be made by any procedure available to one of skill in the art. For example, the Terpolymers can be made under condensation conditions using the desired molar fraction of amino acids in solution or by solid phase synthetic procedures. Condensation conditions include the proper temperature, pH and solvent conditions for condensing the carboxyl group of one amino acid with the amino group of another amino acid to form a peptide bond. Condensing agents, for example, dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, can be used to facilitate the formation of the peptide bond. Blocking groups can be used to protect functional groups, such as the side chain moieties and some of the amino or carboxyl groups, against undesired side reactions.

For example, the process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,550 can be used where the N-carboxyanhydrides of tyrosine, alanine, γ-benzyl glutamate and N-trifluoroacetyl-lysine are polymerized at ambient temperatures in anhydrous dioxane with diethylamine as an initiator. The γ-carboxyl group of the glutamic acid can be deblocked by hydrogen bromide in glacial acetic acid. The trifluoroacetyl groups are removed from lysine by 1 molar piperidine. One of skill in the art readily understands that the process can be adjusted to make polypeptides containing the desired amino acids, for example, only three of the four amino acids in Copolymer 1 by selectively eliminating the reactions that relate to any one of glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine or lysine. For purposes of the application, the terms “ambient temperature” and “room temperature” mean a temperature ranging from about 20 to about 26 degrees Centigrade (° C.).

The average molecular weight of the Terpolymers can be adjusted during polypeptide synthesis or after the Terpolymers have been made. To adjust the average molecular weight during polypeptide synthesis, the synthetic conditions or the amounts of amino acids are adjusted so that synthesis stops when the polypeptide reaches the approximate length which is desired. After synthesis, polypeptides with the desired average molecular weight can be obtained by any available size selection procedure, for example, chromatography of the polypeptides on a molecular weight sizing column or gel, and collection of the average molecular weight ranges desired. The present polypeptides can also be partially hydrolyzed to remove high molecular weight species, for example, by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis, and then purified to remove the acid or enzymes.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparing Terpolymers with a desired average molecular weight which includes reacting a protected polypeptide with hydrobromic acid to form a polypeptide having the desired average molecular weight profile. The reaction is performed for a time and at a temperature which is predetermined by one or more test reactions. During the test reactions, the time and temperature are varied and the average molecular weight range of a given batch of test polypeptides is determined. The test conditions which provide the optimal average molecular weight range for that batch of polypeptides are used for the batch. Thus, polypeptides having the desired average molecular weight profile, can be produced by a process which includes reacting the protected polypeptide with hydrobromic acid for a time and at a temperature predetermined by test reaction.

In a preferred embodiment, a test sample of protected polypeptide from a given batch is reacted with hydrobromic acid for about 10-50 hours at a temperature of about 20-28° C. The best conditions for that batch are determined by running several test reactions. For example, in one embodiment, the protected polypeptide is reacted with hydrobromic acid for about 17 hours at a temperature of about 26° C.

The examples which follow describe the invention in detail with respect to showing how certain specific representative embodiments thereof can be made, the materials, apparatus and process steps being understood as examples that are intended to be illustrative only. In particular, the invention is not intended to be limited to the methods, materials, conditions, process parameters, apparatus and the like specifically recited herein.

Throughout this application, various publications, patents, and patent applications have been referred to. The teachings and disclosures of these publications, patents, and patent applications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which the present invention pertains.

It is to be understood and expected that variations in the principles of invention herein disclosed may be made by one skilled in the art and it is intended that such modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Example I Preparation of Polypeptides Preparation of Protected Polypeptides

Protected polypeptides are prepared as described by Teitelbaum et al., using the N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) blocked amino acids tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid and trifluoroacetyllysine dissolved in dioxane. 1 EUR. J. IMMUN. 242 (1971). The carboxylate group on glutamic acid is blocked with a benzyl (BZ) group.

The polymerization process is initiated by the addition of 0.01-0.02% diethylamine. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 20 hours and then poured into water. The protected polypeptide product is filtered, washed with water and dried. The removal of the γ-benzyl blocking groups from the glutamate residue is carried out by treating the protected polypeptide with 33% hydrobromic acid in glacial acetic acid at room temperature for 6-12 hours with stirring. The product is poured into excess water, filtered, washed and dried, yielding the protected polypeptide.

Preparing Polypeptides with Molecular Weight 7,000±2,000 Da

Treatment of γ-benzyl protected polypeptides 33% HBr in acetic acid not only insures removal of the benzyl protecting group from the γ-carboxylate of the glutamate residue but also cleaves the polypeptides into smaller polypeptides. The time needed for obtaining a polypeptide of molecular weight 7,000±2,000 daltons depends on the reaction temperature and the size of protected polypeptide. At temperatures of between 20° C. to 28° C. a test reaction is performed on every batch for different time periods, for example, from 10-50 hours. A curve of average molecular weight obtained over time is drawn. The time needed for obtaining molecular weight 7,000±2,000 Da is calculated from the curve and the reaction is performed on a larger scale. On average, at 26° C., the time period for obtaining a mixture of polypeptides with a molecular weight of 7,000±2,000 Da is 17 hours. The product is poured into excess water, filtered, washed and dried, yielding a polypeptide with a desired range of average molecular weights.

Preparation of Low-Toxicity Lysine-Containing Polypeptides

Protected trifluoroacetyl-polypeptide (20 g) is dispersed in 1 liter of water and 100 g piperidine is added. The mixture is stirred for 24 hours at room temperature and filtered. The solution of crude polypeptide is distributed into dialysis bags and dialyzed at 10-20° C. in water until pH 8 is attained. The polypeptide solution is dialyzed in 0.3% acetic acid and then again in water until pH 5.5 to 6.0 is obtained. This solution is then concentrated and lyophilized to dryness.

Synthesis of: Molecular Weight 7,600 TGA, poly[L-Tyr^(0.136),L-Glu^(0.21),L-Ale^(0.648)]

1) Raw Materials:

L-Ala-NCA 18.74 g L-Tyr-NCA 6.5 g 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA 13 g Diethylamine 0.165 g Dioxane 790 ml HBr/AcOH(33%) 480 ml Phenol 4.8 g Piperidine 13.2 ml Deionized water Acetic acid

2) Procedure:

L-Tyr-NCA (6.5 g) is placed in dioxane (211 ml) and heated to 60° C. for 10 min, then filtered. 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA (13 g) is placed in dioxane (226 ml) and stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min, then filtered. L-Ala-NCA (18.74 g) is placed in dioxane (350 ml) and stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min, then filtered.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with the solution of L-Tyr-NCA, the solution of 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA and the solution of L-Ala-NCA. Diethylamine (0.165 g) in dioxane (2.5 ml) is introduced to the reaction mixture and stirred at 20-25° C. for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is added to deionized water (1 L), filtered and dried at 60° C. under vacuum. Yield—25.8 g.

A solution of phenol (4.8 g) in HBr/AcOH (33%; 480 ml) is stirred for 20 hours. A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with a solution of HBr/AcOH, poly[5-BZ-L-Glu,L-Ala,L-LTyr] and stirred at 26±1° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is added to deionized water (2 L) and stirred for 1 hour. The precipitate is filtered and washed with deionized water until the pH is 6. The product is dried in a circulating air oven at 40° C., for about 40 hours. Yield—24 g.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with a piperidine (13.2 ml), deionized water (1200 ml), and poly[L-Glu,L-Ala,L-LTyr], then stirred at 20-25° C. for 24 hours. The resulting solution is ultrafiltered through polyethersulphone membranes with a cutoff of 5000 daltons until two thirds of the original volume is removed. The original volume is restored by addition of fresh deionized water. The process is repeated 5 times, until the impurity content is less than 1% by HPLC. The resulting solution (at full volume) is acidified to pH 4.4 with acetic acid. The solution is ultrafiltered to pH 5.5-6 and the volume is reduced to one third. The resulting solution is lyophilized to dryness.

Synthesis of Molecular Weight 8850 GAL, poly[L-Glu^(0.153),L-Ala^(0.479),L-Lys^(0.365)]

1) Raw Materials

L-Ala-NCA 14 g N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA 22.9 g 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA 9.8 g Diethylamine 0.12 g Dioxane 850 ml HBr/AcOH (33%) 480 ml Phenol 4.8 g Piperidine 13.2 ml Deionized water Acetic acid

2) Procedure

N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA (22.9 g) in dioxane (420 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered. 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA (9.8 g) in dioxane (170 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered. L-Ala-NCA (14 g) in dioxane (260 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered. A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with the solution of N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA, the solution of 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA and the solution of L-Ala-NCA. Diethylamine (0.12 g) in dioxane (2.5 ml) is added, and the reaction mixture is stirred at 20-25° C. for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is added to deionized water (1 L), filtered and dried at 60° C. under vacuum.

A solution of phenol (4.8 g) in HBr/AcOH (33%; 480 ml) is stirred for 20 hours. A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with a solution of HBr/AcOH, poly[5-BZ-L-Glu,L-Ala,N6-TFA-L-Lys] (24 g) and is stirred at 26±1° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is added to deionized water (2 L) and stirred for 1 hour. The precipitate is filtered and washed with deionized water until pH=6. The product is dried in a circulating air oven at 40° C., about 40 hours.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with piperidine (13.2 ml), deionized water (1200 ml) and poly[L-Glu,L-Ala,N6-TFA-L-Lys] (24 g) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 24 hours. The solution is ultrafiltered through polyethersulphone membranes with a cut off of 5000 daltons until two thirds of the original volume are removed. The original volume is restored by addition of fresh deionized water. The process is repeated 5 times, until the impurity content is less than 1% (by HPLC). The resulting solution (at full volume) is acidified to pH 4.4 with acetic acid. The solution is ultrafiltered until the pH is 5.5-6 and the volume is reduced to one third. The resulting solution is lyophilized to dryness.

Synthesis of Molecular Weight 11,050 TGL, poly[L-Tyr^(0.162), L-Glu^(0.259),L-Lys^(0.579)]

1) Raw Materials

5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA 10.34 g N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA 24.16 g L-Tyr-NCA 5.2 g Diethylamine 0.095 g Dioxane 810 ml HBr/AcOH (33%) 460 ml Phenol 4.6 g Piperidine 150 ml Deionized water Acetic acid

2) Procedure

L-Tyr-NCA (5.2 g) in dioxane (180 ml) is heated to 60° C. for 10 min, and filtered. N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA (24.16 g) in dioxane (450 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered. 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA (10.35 g) in dioxane (180 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with the solution of N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA, the solution of L-Tyr-NCA and the solution of 5-BZ-L-Glu-NCA. Diethylamine (0.095 g) in dioxane (2.5 ml) is introduced, and the reaction mixture is stirred at 20-25° C. for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is added to deionized water (0.7 L), filtered and dried at 60° C. under vacuum.

A solution of phenol (4.6 g) in HBr/AcOH (33%; 460 ml) is stirred for 20 hours. A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with the solution of HBr/AcOH and the poly[5-BZ-L-Glu,L-Tyr,N6-TFA-L-Lys]. This mixture is stirred at 26±1° C. for 16 hours and then the mixture is added to deionized water (1.5 L) and stirred for ½ hour. The precipitate is filtered and washed with deionized water until the pH is 5.5.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with a piperidine (150 ml), deionized water (1400 ml), and poly[L-Glu,L-Tyr,N6-TFA-L-Lys] (50 g) and is stirred at 20-25° C. for 24 hours. The resulting solution of poly[L-Glu, L-Tyr, L-Lys] is ultrafiltered through polyethersulphone membranes with a cut off of 5000 daltons until two thirds of the original volume were removed. The original volume is restored by addition of fresh deionized water. The process is repeated 5 times, until the impurity content is less than 1% (by HPLC). The resulting solution (at full volume) is acidified to pH 4.2 with acetic acid. The solution is ultrafiltered to a pH of 5.5-6 and the volume is reduced to one third. The resulting solution is lyophilized to dryness.

Synthesis of Molecular Weight 20,000 TAL, poly[L-Tyr^(0.102), L-Ala^(0.542), L-Lys^(0.353)]

1) Raw Materials

L-Ala-NCA 14 g N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA 22.9 g L-Tyr-NCA 4.9 g Diethylamine 0.1 g Dioxane 850 ml HBr/AcOH (33%) 500 ml Phenol 5 g Piperidine 162 ml Deionized water Acetic acid

2) Procedure

L-Tyr-NCA (4.9 g) in dioxane (170 ml) is heated to 60° C. for 10 min, and filtered. N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA (22.9 g) in dioxane (417 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered. L-Ala-NCA (14 g) in dioxane (260 ml) is stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. and filtered.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with the solution of N6-TFA-L-Lys-NCA, the solution of Tyr-NCA in dioxane and the solution of L-Ala-NCA. Diethylamine (0.1 g) in dioxane (2 ml) is introduced and the mixture is stirred at 20-25° C. for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is then added to deionized water (1 L), filtered and dried at 60° C. under vacuum.

A solution of phenol (5 g) in HBr/AcOH (33%; 500 ml) is stirred for 20 hours. A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with the solution of HBr/AcOH and the poly[L-Ala,L-Tyr,N6-TFA-L-Lys] and is stirred at 26±1° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is then added to deionized water (2 L) and stirred for ½ hour. The precipitate is filtered and washed with deionized water until the pH is 5.5.

A 2 L Erlenmeyer equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with a piperidine (162 ml), water (1500 ml) and the poly[L-Ala,L-Tyr,N6-TFA-L-Lys] (30 g), and is stirred at 20-25° C. for 24 hours. The resulting solution of poly[L-Ala,L-Tyr,L-Lys] is ultrafiltered through polyethersulphone membranes with a cut off of 5000 daltons until two thirds of the original volume were removed. The original volume is restored by addition of fresh deionized water. The process is repeated 5 times, until the impurity content is less than 1% (by HPLC). The resulting solution (at full volume) is acidified to pH 4.4 with acetic acid. The solution is ultrafiltered to pH 5.5-6 and the volume is reduced to one third. The resulting solution is lyophilized to dryness.

Example 2 Low Molecular Weight Polypeptides In Vivo Tests

Three batches of copolymer-1 having an average molecular weight of 7.3 and 8.4 KDa (less than 2.5% copolymer-1 species over 40 KDa) and 22 KDa (more than 5% copolymer-1 species over 40 KDa) were subjected to the toxicity test described below. Five mice were used in each experimental group.

Method

Copolymer-1 is dissolved in distilled water to yield a solution of 2 mg/ml of the active ingredient. Each mouse is injected with 0.5 ml of the test solution into the lateral tail vein. Mice were observed for mortality and relevant clinical signs over a 48 hour period. Observations were recorded 10 minutes, 24 hours and 48 hours post-injection. If, at the end of 48 hours, all the animals were alive and no adverse signs had been observed, then the batch is designated “non-toxic”. If, however, one or more of the mice had died or had shown adverse signs, then the batch is designated “toxic”.

Results

Three of five mice died after 48 hours when treated with the 22 kDa average molecular weight Copolymer 1 polypeptides. Accordingly, this high average molecular weight batch is designated “toxic”. The Copolymer 1 batches having average molecular weights of 7.3 and 8.4 KDa were both designated “non-toxic.”

In Vitro Rat Basophilic Leukemia Cell Degranulation Tests

Histamine (or serotonin) release from basophile is an in vitro model for immediate hypersensitivity. The Rat Basophilic Leukemia cell line, RBL-2H_(o), is uniform and easy to maintain in culture but is a highly sensitive and reproducible system for testing for degranulation. E. L. Basumian, et al., 11 EUR. J. IMMUNOL. 317 (1981). The physiological stimulus for histamine release involves binding of the antigen to membrane-bound IgE molecules, which triggers an intricate biochemical cascade. Degranulation is induced by non-IgE-mediated stimuli, including various peptides and synthetic polymers, e.g. polylysine. R. P. Siraganian, TRENDS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES 432 (October 1983). The RBL degranulation test is, therefore, used to screen out those batches of COP-1 which evoke substantial degranulation and thus might elicit undesirable local and/or systemic side effects.

Method

Rat Basophilic Leukemia cells (RBL-2H_(o)), are loaded with [H³]-serotonin, followed by incubation with 100 μg of the COP-1 to be tested. Batches of COP-1 which induce non-specific degranulation, release [H³]-serotonin into the medium. The radioactivity in the medium is counted by a scintillation counter and the total radiolabeled serotonin incorporated into the cells is determined in the pelleted cells. Percent degranulation is calculated as the percentage of serotonin released out of the total incorporated.

Results

Four batches of Copolymer 1, with average molecular weight between 8,250-14,500 were analyzed for both percentage of the species with molecular weight over 40 kDa and for degranulation of RBL's. Results are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE 1 % of species with M.W. Average M.W. over 40 KDa % Serotonin Release 6,250 <2.5 12.4 7,300 <2.5 21.0 13,000 >5 66.9 14,500 >5 67.8

As can be seen, when the percentage of high average molecular weight species is low (less than 2.5%), the percent release of serotonin is also low, and vice versa.

These data indicate that lower average molecular weight Copolymer 1 polypeptides are preferable to higher average molecular weight Copolymer 1 polypeptides.

Example 3 Suppression of EAE by the Polypeptides

Injection of Copolymer 1 in incomplete Freund's adjuvant before disease induction can suppress experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). This suppression appears to be mediated by Copolymer 1-specific suppressor T cells of the T_(H)2 type which cross react with myelin basic protein. Lando et al., 123 J. IMMUNOL. 2156 (1979); Aharoni et al., 17 EUR. J. IMMUNOL. 23 (1993); Aharoni et al., 94 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 10821 (1997). Other researchers have observed that the therapeutic effect of Copolymer 1 in multiple sclerosis patients is also associated with the induction of T_(H)2 cells. Lahat et al., 244 J. Neurol. 129 (1997). In this example, EAE is suppressed to by different polypeptides of the present invention.

Methods Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 batches # 02095 and 55495, with average molecular weights of 6000 Da and 5800 Da, respectively, were obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel).

Terpolymers

Four terpolymers were obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel). The properties of these terpolymers are provided below:

-   -   1) The GAL terpolymer (SD-1689) is a mixture of polypeptides         containing the following mole fraction of amino acids glutamic         acid (0.153), alanine (0.479) and lysine (0.365). The range of         GAL average molecular weights is about 4650 daltons to about         20,050 daltons. The average molecular weight of this GAL         preparation is 8850 daltons.     -   2) The TGA terpolymer (SD-1690) is a mixture of polypeptides         containing the following mole fraction of amino acids tyrosine         (0.136), glutamic acid (0.210) and alanine (0.648). The range of         TGA average molecular weights is about 1000 daltons to about         40,000 daltons. The average molecular weight of this TGA         preparation is 7600 daltons.     -   3) The TAL terpolymer (SD-1691) is a mixture of polypeptides         containing the following mole fraction of amino acids tyrosine         (0.102), alanine (0.542) and lysine (0.353). The range of TAL         average molecular weights is about 5700 daltons to about 34,400         daltons. The average molecular weight of this TAL preparation is         about 20,000 daltons.     -   4) The GTL terpolymer (SD-1697) is a mixture of polypeptides         containing the following mole fraction of amino acids glutamic         acid (0.259), tyrosine (0.162) and lysine (0.579). The range of         GTL average molecular weights is about 4,000 daltons to about         23,500 daltons. The average molecular weight of this GTL         preparation is about 11050 daltons.

A control polypeptide is used, consisting of a mixture of polypeptides containing a 1:1:1 mixture of amino acids alanine, glutamic acid and tyrosine, with an average molecular weight 26,700 Da. This polypeptide is obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo.).

Induction of EAE

Two to three month old female (SJL/J×BALB/c)FI mice are injected in all four footpads with mouse spinal cord homogenate (3.5 mg/mouse) emulsified in a 1:1 ratio in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) supplemented with 4 mg/ml H37Ra. Pertussis toxin (0.25 ml, 250 ng, Sigma) is injected intravenously, immediately after and 48 hr later. Mice are examined daily from day 10 post induction for clinical signs of EAE which were scored on a 0-5 scale as described in Lando et al., 123 J. IMMUNOL. 2156 (1979).

EAE Suppression by Injection with Incomplete Adjuvant

The tested polypeptides (10 mg/mouse) are injected in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (ICFA) subcutaneously in one nuchal area in 2-3 spots. EAE is induced 3 weeks later as described above.

EAE Suppression by Oral Administration

In a second test, female Lewis rats are fed 5 mg/kg guinea pig BP or Copolymer 1 dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 2-3 day intervals before EAE induction. EAE is induced two days after the last feeding by injection of 25 μg guinea pig MBP emulsified in 1:1 CFA containing 4 mg/ml mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra) (Difco Lab, Detroit, Mich.). A total volume of 0.1 ml is injected into each of two hindfoot pads. Control rats are mock fed with phosphate buffered saline.

The efficacy of orally administered Copolymer 1 for preventing EAE in rats is compared to that of rats fed guinea pig MBP by the method of Higgins et al., 140 J. IMMUNOL. 440 (1988).

Animals were examined daily from day 10 post induction for signs of disease. EAE is scored as follows: 0=no disease; 1=limp tail; 2=hind limb paralysis; 3=paralysis of all four limbs; 4=moribund condition; and 5=death.

Results

EAE Suppression by Injection with Incomplete Adjuvant

Table 2 illustrates the effects of administering the present polypeptides by injection in ICFA prior to induction of EAE. Of the four polypeptides tested, Copolymer 1 and TAL caused the greatest EAE suppression. GTL also exhibited good suppressive activity. GAL and TGA, were somewhat less effective.

TABLE 2 Suppression of EAE in mice by Injection of the Present Polypeptides Suppression % Polypeptide Incidence MMS* Incidence MMS* None 11/11 4.0 (Negative Control) ICFA 11/11 3.4 0.0 15.0 (Negative Control) Copolymer 1  2/11 0.45 82.0 89.0 (Positive Control) SD-1689 - GAL 7/8 3.5 12.5 12.5 SD-1690 - TGA 6/8 2.5 25.0 37.5 SD-1691 - TAL 3/8 1.1 62.5 72.5 SD-1697 - GTL 5/8 1.5 37.5 62.5 D-Copolymer 1 11/11 4.1 0.0 0.0 *MMS = Mean Maximal Score D-Copolymer 1 is a copolymer of d-lysine, d-tyrosine, d-glutamic acid and d-alanine in the molar ratios of Copolymer 1.

Table 3 illustrates the efficacy of orally administered Copolymer 1 in preventing the clinical manifestations of EAE in Lewis rats compared to rats receiving only phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or guinea pig basic protein (GPBP).

TABLE 3 Suppression of EAE in Rats by Oral Administration of the Present Polypeptides Fed Antigen Incidence MMS ± SD Mean Onset (days) PBS (Control) 27/28 (96%) 1.8 ± 0.5 11.9 GPBP 10/17 (59%) 0.9 ± 0.5 11.4 p = 0.0026 Copolymer 1 13/28 (46%) 0.78 ± 0.45 12.6 p = 0.00005 Each numerical value represents the cumulative results of 3-5 independent experiments. The p values represent the statistical significance of the difference from the control (PBS) group. Mean maximal score is calculated for the entire group.

These data indicate that the present polypeptides are therapeutically effective for preventing the onset and severity of EAE when administered either orally or by injection.

Example 4 Binding to Antigen Presenting Cells

Several of the present polypeptides bind efficiently to living antigen presenting cells.

Methods Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 batches #02095 and 55495, with average molecular weights of 6000 Da and 5800 Da, respectively, were obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel).

Terpolymers

GAL, TGA, TAL, GTL and control polypeptides are as described above under Example 3.

Biotinylation of Antigens

Biotinylation of Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers is performed at 0° C. with biotin-N-hydroxysuccinimide (Sigma) according to Fridkis-Hareli et al. 91 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 4872 (1994).

Binding of Biotinylated Antigens to Antigen Presenting Cells

The biotinylated polypeptides were examined for binding to living antigen presenting cells of mouse and human origin, using fluorescently labeled streptavidin and FACS analysis. Adherent spleen cells from (SJL/J×BALB/c)FI mice, or EBV transformed human B cells of DR7,wII haplotype (I×10⁶/100 μl), were incubated at 37° C. for 20 hr. with 50 μg biotinylated Copolymer 1 or Terpolymers dissolved in 100 μl PBS containing 0.1% BSA. The cells were then incubated at 4° C. for 30 min. with phycoerythrin-conjugated streptavidin (Jackson Immuno Research, West Grove, Pa.) at a concentration of 0.5 μg/100 μl cell suspension. After each incubation the cells were washed three times with PBS containing 0.1% BSA. Thereafter, cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using FACScan (Becton-Dickinson, Mountain View, Calif.). For each analysis, 5000 cells were examined. Dead cells were excluded on the basis of forward and side-angle light scatter.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Transformed B-Cell Lines

EBV-transformed B-cell lines were initiated according to Teitelbaum et al., 89 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 137 (1992). Approximately 20×10⁶ peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with B95.8 cell line supernatant, for 1 hr at 37° C. The cells were then washed and cultured in RPMI medium with 10% FCS and cyclosporin A (10 μg/ml) to deplete T cells.

Results

Table 4 illustrates the binding of terpolymers and Copolymer 1 polypeptides to living antigen presenting cells, including mouse spleen macrophages and human EBV transformed B-cell lines. Data illustrating both the percent of binding and the intensity of cell staining are provided (Table 4 I+II). TAL bound the most efficiently—better even than Copolymer 1. GAL and GTL also bound very well—the same or even somewhat better than Copolymer 1. TGA bound well but somewhat less than Copolymer 1.

TAL bound most efficiently both to spleen macrophages of (SJL/J×BALB/c) F₁ mice and to EBV-transformed B cells from a normal DR7.w11 donor, as expressed by the intensity of the binding (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Binding of Terpolymers to antigen presenting cells Polypeptide % Binding MFI* I. Antigen presenting cells from mouse spleen macrophages Copolymer 1 85 493 (positive control) SD-1689 - GAL 88 600 SD-1690 - TGA 74 39 SD-1691 - TAL 100 1929 SD-1697 - GTL 90 973 II. Antigen presenting cells from human EBV transformed B-cell line Copolymer 1 96 727 (positive control) SD-1689 - GAL 95 661 SD-1690 - TGA 72 49 SD-1691 - TAL 100 1438 SD-1697 - GTL 97 1057 *MFI = Mean Fluorescence Intensity

Example 5 The Present Polypeptides Bind to Purified Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)

This example illustrates that polypeptides of the present invention bind to human B cells and to purified human lymphocyte antigens with high affinity, including the HLA-DR1, HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 molecules.

Methods Cell Lines and Antibodies

Homozygous EBV-transformed human B lymphocyte lines used for immunoaffinity purification of HLA-DR1, -DR2 and -DR4 molecules were LG-2 (DRB1-*), MGAR (DRB1±1501) and Preiss (DRB-*0401/DRB4-*0101), respectively.

Cells were grown in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FCS, 2 mM glutamine, 50 U/ml penicillin G and 50 μg/ml streptomycin in roller bottles and stored as pellets at −80° C. The anti-DR hybridoma LB3.1 (IgG2b) is grown in serum-free medium (Macrophage-SFM, Gibco BRL). See Gorga et al., 103 CELL. IMMUNOL. 160 (1986).

Protein Purification

Immunoaffinity purification of HLA-DR1, -DR2 and -DR4 molecules is performed, with minor modifications, as previously reported by Gorga et al., 262 J. BIOL. CHEM.

16087 (1987). Briefly, detergent soluble membrane preparations from LG-2, MGAR and Priess cells were passed at a flow rate of approximately 11 ml/hr through a series of columns in the following sequence: Sepharose CL-6B (30 ml), normal mouse serum-Aff-gel 10 (10 ml), protein A-Sepharose CL-4B (5 ml) and LB3.1-protein A-Sepharose CL-4B (5 ml). DR2a (DRB5*0101) and Drw53 (DRB4*0101), the products of DR genes linked to the DRB1 alleles were not removed from the MGAR and Priess lysates before passage through the LB3.1 immunoaffinity column, and contaminate the DR2 and DR4 preparations in the amount of 5-10%. All the subsequent steps were as previously described by Gorga et al., 262 J. BIOL. CHEM. 16087 (1987). The eluate is dialyzed against 0.1% deoxycholate, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 and concentrated on a Centriprep 30 membrane (Amicon). Protein concentrations were determined by bicinchonitric acid assay (Pierce Chemical Co.).

Polypeptides and Control Antigens

Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 batches #55495 and 52596, with average molecular weight of 5800 daltons and 8,150 daltons, respectively, were obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel). Copolymer 1 batch 52596 had a molar ratio of 1 tyrosine: 1.5 glutamic acid: 4.3 alanine: 3.1 lysine.

Myelin Basic Protein and Hemagglutinin Control Peptides

MBP peptides were synthesized on an Applied Biosystems Peptide Synthesizer using solid phase techniques. Barany et al., THE PEPTIDES 1 (1979). Peptides purified by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptides used were HA 306-318, having the sequence PKYVKQNTLKLAT (MW 1718) (SEQ ID NO: 2), and MBP 84 102, having the sequence DENPVVHFFKNIVTPRTPP (MW 2529) (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Terpolymers

GAL, TGA, TAL, GTL and control polypeptides are as described above under Example 3.

Polypeptide Labeling

Biotinylation of the various polypeptides is performed as in Example 4. Unreacted biotin is removed by dialysis (Spectra/Por® membrane MWCO 500, Spectrum Medical Industries).

Assays for Polypeptide Binding to Class II MHC Proteins

Solutions: The solutions used in this assay were the following. Binding buffer is 20 mM 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 1% n-octyl 13-D-glycopyranoside, 140 mM NaCl, 0.05% NaN₃, pH 5.0, unless otherwise specified. PBS is 150 mM sodium chloride, 7.5 mM sodium phosphate, dibasic, 2.5 mM sodium phosphate, monobasic, pH 7.2. TBS is 137 mM sodium chloride, 25 mM Tris pH 8.0, 2.7 mM potassium chloride. TTBS is TBS plus 0.05% Tween-20.

Microtiter Assay Plate Preparation: Ninety-six well microtiter immunoassay plates (PRO-BIND™, Falcon) were coated with 1 μg/well affinity-purified LB3.1 monoclonal antibodies in PBS (100 μl total) for 18 hrs at 4° C. The wells were then blocked with TBS containing 3% BSA for 1 hr at 37° C. and washed three times with TTBS. Before sample addition, 50 μl of TBS/1% BSA is added to each well.

Binding reactions: Detergent-solubilized HLA-DR1, -DR2 and -DR4 molecules (0.5 μg/sample) were incubated with biotinylated control peptides at various concentrations for 40 hours at 37° C. in 50 μl of the binding buffer and transferred to prepared microtiter assay plates and incubated for 1 hr at 37° C. for capture of polypeptide-class II complexes.

Inhibition reactions: Biotinylated polypeptides at a final concentration of 1.5 μM in 50 μl of binding buffer were coincubated with unlabeled polypeptides as well as the peptides HA 306-318 (SEQ ID NO: 2) or MBP 84-102 (SEQ ID NO: 1), used as inhibitors, and HLA-DR molecules for 40 hr at 37° C.

Detection of class II/polypeptide complexes: Bound polypeptide-biotin is detected using streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase as follows. Plates were washed three times with TTBS and incubated with 100 μl of streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase (1:3000, BioRad) for 1 hr at 37° C., followed by addition of p-nitrophenyl phosphate in triethanolamine buffer (BioRad). The absorbency at 410 nm is monitored by a microplate reader (Dynatech MR4000).

Results Terpolymers Binding to Class II MHC Proteins

Detergent-soluble HLA-DR1, HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 proteins were purified from homozygous EBV-transformed B cell lines LG-2 (DRB1*0101), MGAR (DRB1*1501) and Priess (DRB1*0401), respectively, as described previously by Fridkis-Hareli et al., 160 J. IMMUNOL. 4386 (1998). Three different preparations of Copolymer 1 had bound to these molecules with high affinity. Id. To determine the affinity of the terpolymers for HLA-DR proteins, binding assays were carried out with biotinylated Terpolymers, and compared to Copolymer 1. The polypeptides were incubated at a range of concentrations with purified HLA-DR1, HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 molecules at pH 5.0 followed by capture with class II-specific mAb and detection with alkaline phosphatase-streptavidin.

Binding by TAL and Copolymer 1 to detergent-soluble HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR4 molecules is better than that of GAL, TGA or GTL. However, GTL and Copolymer 1 bound better than the other polypeptides to HLA-DR2, based on the saturation binding curves (FIG. 2A), and on K_(d) values, calculated from the double-reciprocal plots of the binding data (FIG. 2B, Table 5).

Competitive binding assays were carried out with biotinylated Copolymer 1 and the following unlabeled inhibitors: Copolymer 1, TAL, TGA, GAL, TGL, MBP 84-102 and HA 306-318 polypeptides (FIG. 3). The MBP 84-102 (SEQ ID NO: 1) peptide is a poor inhibitor of the binding of Copolymer 1 to HLA-DR2. The binding of biotinylated Copolymer 1 to detergent-soluble HLA-DR1 and -DR4 molecules is efficiently inhibited by unlabeled TGA, TAL, HA 306-318 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and Copolymer 1. However, binding of biotinylated Copolymer 1 to detergent-soluble HLA-DR1 and -DR4 molecules is inhibited more than 10-fold less by TGL, as indicated by 50% inhibitory dosages (IC₅₀) (FIG. 3, Table 5). Similarly, GAL is also a poor inhibitor of Copolymer 1 binding to HLA-DR1 and -DR4 molecules. In general, the binding pattern to HLA-DR2 is similar to that observed for HLA-DR1 (Table 5). These results show that the polypeptides of three amino acids, in particular TAL and TGA bind to class II MHC molecules with an affinity range similar to that of antigenic peptides and of Copolymer 1. Hence, TAL and TGA are effective competitors for the class II MHC molecules to which Copolymer 1 binds. Based on their binding capacity, the polypeptides could be arranged in the following order:

(A) binding to HLA-DR1: Copolymer 1>TAL>GTL>TGA>>GAL;

(B) binding to HLA-DR2: Copolymer 1>GTL>TAL>GAL>TGA;

(C) binding to HLA-DR4: TAL>Copolymer 1>>TGA>GTL>GAL.

TABLE 5 Affinity of the present polypeptides for purified human HLA-DR1, -DR2 and -DR4 molecules Poly- DR1² DR2 DR4 peptide¹ K_(d) ³ IC₅₀ ⁴ K_(d) IC₅₀ K_(d) IC₅₀ Co- 7.4 8.8 8.2 10.1 1.5 10.8 polymer 1 TAL 2.0 3.3 1.7  2.7 2.0  6.5 GAL 0.5 ⁵ 1.7 ⁵ 0.3 ⁵ TGA 1.0 1.3 0.8  9.5 0.8  1.0 TGL 0.4 43.0  5.0 25.4 0.8 43.0 ¹Copolymer 1 polypeptides with average MW of 5,800; TAL, MW 20,000; GAL, MW 8,850; TGA, MW 7,600; and TGL, MW 11,050, were incubated at a range of concentrations with purified HLA-DR1, -DR2 and -DR4 molecules at pH 5.0 followed by capture with class II-specific mAb and peptide detection with alkaline phosphatase-streptavidin. ²Detergent-soluble HLA-DR1, -DR2 and -DR4 molecules were purified as described in Materials and Methods. ³K_(d), the dissociation constant at equilibrium, is calculated from the slope of the double reciprocal plot (FIG. 2B), and is expressed as ×10⁻⁸ M. ⁴IC₅₀, inhibitory concentration giving 50% inhibition, is calculated based on the competitive binding assays (FIG. 3), and is expressed as ×10⁻⁶ M. ⁵ IC₅₀ values for GAL could not be determined exactly, but were less than 1000 μM (see FIG. 3).

Effect of Superantigens on the Binding of Polypeptides to HLA-DR Molecules

Bacterial superantigens SEA, SEB and TSST-1 have been shown to inhibit Copolymer 1 binding to purified HLA-DR molecules only at very high concentrations. Fridkis-Hareli et al., 160 J. IMMUNOL. 4386 (1998). To examine the effect of these superantigens on the binding of Terpolymers to purified HLA-D R1, HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 molecules, competitive binding assays were carried out with unlabeled SEA, SEB and TSST-1.

Binding of TAL to HLA-DR1, HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 is only inhibited by the superantigens at high molar ratios of superantigen: for example, fifty times the amount of superantigen is needed to inhibit TAL binding (FIG. 4A). However, binding of TGA and GAL is inhibited more significantly by the superantigens (FIGS. 4B and C), indicating that these polypeptides bound the HLA antigens with lower affinity.

Example 6 Inhibition of MBP-Induced T Cell Proliferation

This example illustrates that the proliferation of T cells which are normally activated by myelin basic protein (MBP) can be inhibited by simultaneous exposure to the present polypeptides.

Methods Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 batches #02095 and 55495, with average molecular weights of 6000 Da and 5800 Da, respectively, were obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel).

Myelin Basic Protein Peptides were synthesized on an Applied Biosystems Peptide Synthesizer using solid phase techniques. Barany et al., THE PEPTIDES 1 (1979). Peptides purified by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptides used were HA 306-318, having the sequence PKYVKQNTLKLAT (MW 1718) (SEQ ID NO: 2), and MBP 84 102, having the sequence DENPVVHFFKNIVTPRTPP (MW 2529) (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Terpolymers

GAL, TGA, TAL, GTL and control polypeptides are as described above under Example 3.

T Cell Lines and Clones

Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) specific T-cell lines originated from spleens of mice which, ten days earlier, were immunized with 20 μg of the 84-102 peptide of MBP emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant supplemented with 4 mg/ml of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. Cells were cultured and selected in vitro using the immunizing antigen (0.2-1 mg/plate), in culture medium (RPMI, 2 mM glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, non essential amino acids, 5×10⁻⁵ M 2-mercaptoethanol, 100 μg/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin), supplemented with 1% autologous serum. After 4 days, cells were transferred to culture medium containing 10% FCS and supplemented with 10% supernatant of Con A activated normal spleen cells as T cell growth factor (TCGF). Every fourteen to twenty one days, cells were stimulated by exposure to the immunizing antigen presented on syngeneic irradiated (3000 rad) spleen cells (50×10⁶/plate) for 3 days, followed by propagation in TCGF medium. Cloning of T cell lines is performed by limiting dilution at 0.3 cells/well in microliter plate in the presence of the antigen (2-10 μg/well) and irradiated syngeneic spleen cells (5×10⁶/well).

Human T cell lines were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells according to Teitelbaum et al., 89 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 137 (1992). Approximately 5×10⁶ cells were incubated in each well of a 24-well culture plate with Copolymer 1 or MBP (50 μg/ml) in culture medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated autologous serum. After 7 days of culture, the cells were transferred to culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum and recombinant human interleukin 2 (20 units/ml). The cells were grown continuously in this medium with periodic exposure to antigen presented on irradiated (3000 rad), autologous mononuclear cells, every 14-18 days.

Proliferation Assay

Cells of T lines or clones were tested for their specific proliferative response 10-21 days after antigenic stimulation. T Cells (1.5×10⁴) were cultured in triplicates with 5×10⁵ irradiated spleen cells and with the indicated antigens in a final volume of 0.2 ml in 10% FCS culture medium. At the end of 48 hr incubation, cultures were pulsed with 1 μCi[³H]-thymidine (standard deviation <20% of the mean cpm), and harvested 6-12 h later.

Inhibition Studies

Inhibition of the T-cell proliferative response is studied by adding various concentrations of Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers plus the stimulating MBP antigen to the proliferation assay system. Inhibition is calculated as percent inhibition using equation 2:

%Inhibition=[1−(cpm with inhibitor/cpm without inhibitor)]×100.  2

Results

FIG. 1 illustrates how copolymer 1 and terpolymers effect the proliferation of T cells which are specific for certain myelin basic protein (MBP) peptides. In general, T cells proliferate when exposed to the antigen to which they were sensitized. Thus, MBP and, in particular, certain antigenic peptides from MBP stimulate the proliferation of MBP-specific T cells.

Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers did not stimulate proliferation of T cells which were specific for the 84-102 peptide of MBP. Instead, they significantly inhibited the proliferation of T cells exposed to this MBP antigen.

TAL exhibited the most efficient inhibition of proliferation in T cells specific for the MBP 84-102 antigen. Inhibition by TAL is even greater than that provided by Copolymer 1. TGA induced lower inhibition of T cell proliferation. GAL and GTL inhibited T cell proliferation in a dose responsive manner similar to Copolymer 1.

Example 7 Terpolymers are Recognized by Some Copolymer 1-Specific T Cells

Terpolymers can stimulate some Copolymer 1-specific T cell lines to proliferate and secrete the cytokine, IL-4.

Methods Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 batches #02095 and 55495, with average molecular weight of 6000 Da and 5800 Da, respectively, were obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel).

Myelin Basic Protein Peptides were synthesized on an Applied Biosystems

Peptide Synthesizer using solid phase techniques. Barany et al., THE PEPTIDES 1 (1979). Peptides purified by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptides used were HA 306-318, having the sequence PKYVKQNTLKLAT (MW 1718) (SEQ ID NO: 2), and MBP 84 102, having the sequence DENPVVHFFKNIVTPRTPP (MW 2529) (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Terpolymers

GAL, TGA, TAL, GTL and control polypeptides are as described above under Example 3.

T Cell Lines and Clones

Mouse T cell lines and clones were established according to Aharoni et al., 23 Eur. J. Immunol. 17 (1993); Aharoni et al., 94 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 10821 (1997). Copolymer 1 specific lines were originated from spleens of mice which, 15 to 35 days earlier, had been rendered unresponsive to EAE by subcutaneously injecting each mouse with 5-10 mg Copolymer 1, emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (Difco). Alternatively, Copolymer 1 specific lines were obtained from the lymph nodes of mice which had been immunized ten days earlier with 200 μg Copolymer 1 emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (Difco) supplemented with 4 mg/ml of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Difco).

Copolymer 1-specific T cell lines were used and T cell clones LN-1, LN-2, S-3, 5-22-5, C-14, and C-52. The LN-2 antibodies were derived from lymph nodes of (SJL/J×BALB/c) F₁ mice injected with Copolymer 1 in CFA. The 5-22-5 antibodies were obtained from spleens of (SJL/J×BALB/C) F₁ mice injected with Copolymer 1 in CFA, according to Aharoni et al., 23 EUR. J. IMMUNOL. 17 (1993); Aharoni et al., PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 10821 (1997).

Human T cell clones were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells according Teitelbaum et al., 89 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 137 (1992). Approximately 5×10⁶ cells were incubated in each well of a 24-well culture plate with Copolymer 1 or MBP (50 μg/ml) in culture medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated autologous serum. After 7 days of culture, the cells were transferred to culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum and recombinant human interleukin 2 (20 units/ml). The cells were grown continuously in this medium with periodic exposure to antigen presented on irradiated (3000 rad), autologous mononuclear cells, every 14-18 days. The C-52 T-cell clone was derived from a DR7,w11 donor, also according to Teitelbaum et al., 89 PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA 137 (1992).

Proliferation Assay

Cells of T lines or clones were tested for their specific proliferative response 10-21 days after antigenic stimulation. T Cells (1.5×10⁴) were cultured in triplicates with 5×10⁵ irradiated spleen cells or with human EBV-transformed B cells (5×10⁴), and with the indicated antigens in a final volume of 0.2 ml in 10% FCS culture medium. At the end of 48 hr incubation, cultures were pulsed with 1 μCi[³H]-thymidine and then harvested 6-12 hr later. The variations of triplicates from their mean were under 20%.

cell line cross-reacted only with TAL. No cell lines cross reacted with GTL or with AGT (1:1:1) which has the same amino acids as TGA but in a different mole fraction than TGA or Copolymer 1.

TABLE 6 Cross reactivity of Terpolymers with Copolymer 1 for Copolymer 1 specific T-cell lines and clones I. Murine T-cell lines and clones Cross reactivity with Copolymer 1 (%) T-cells LN-3 S-3 LN-1 S-22-5 Polypeptide prol* IL-4^(‡) prol* IL-4^(‡) prol* IL-4^(‡) prol* IL-4^(‡) SD-1689-GAL 130 139 49 11 0 1 0 0 SD-1690-TGA 3 6 102 107 0 1 0 0 SD-1691-TAL 3 7 2 3 64 120 0 0 SD-1697-GTL 2 4 12 6 0 1 0 0 1:1:1 AGT 2 0 2 2 1 0 2 0T II. Human T-cell Clones Cross reactivity with Copolymer 1 (%) T-cells C-14 C-52 Polypeptide proliferation proliferation SD-1689-GAL 4 75 SD-1690-TGA 1 58 SD-1691-TAL 0 0 SD-1697-GTL 0 5 *prol = as measured by proliferation. ^(‡)IL-4 = as measured by Interleukin-4.

Example 8 Terpolymers Cross-React with Anti-Copolymer 1 Antibodies

Antibodies directed against Copolymer 1 cross-react with Terpolymers which lack either tyrosine, glutamic acid or alanine. However, Terpolymers lacking lysine are not recognized efficiently by anti-Copolymer 1 antibodies.

Antibodies

Mouse anti-MBP and anti-Copolymer 1 monoclonal antibodies were obtained by fusion of MBP- or Copolymer 1-immunized spleen cells from SJL/J mice, with the NSO/1 murine plasmacytoma cell line. Teitelbaum et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 9528 (1991).

Radioimmunoassay

Flexible plastic microtiter plates were coated with Copolymer 1 or Terpolymers (2 μg/ml. After 16 hr incubation at room temperature, plates were washed three times and saturated for 2 hr with PBS containing 2% bovine serum albumin, 0.05% Tween 20, 0.1% sodium azide, 10 mM EDTA, and heparin at 5 units/ml (“PBS buffer”). Monoclonal antibody supernatants (50 μl), were added to the wells for a 2 hr incubation, and the wells were washed again with PBS buffer. ¹²⁵I-labeled goat anti-mouse Fab antibodies (1×10⁵ cpm/well) were added for overnight incubation at 4° C. After extensive washing, radioactivity is measured in a gamma counter.

Methods ELISA Assay for Antibody Cross-Reactivity

A standard ELISA assay is employed using anti-Copolymer 1 polyclonal antibodies and microtiter plates coated with 2 μg/ml of terpolymer preparation.

Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 with the following amino acid composition is obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel).

Amino Acid Molar Fraction L-glutamic acid 0.141 L-alanine 0.427 L-tyrosine 0.095 L-lysine 0.338

Terpolymers

The four Terpolymers of Example 1 were used.

Results

Table 7 indicated that anti-Copolymer 1 polyclonal antibodies cross react with Terpolymers which lack either tyrosine, glutamic acid or alanine. The relatively high percentage binding of the terpolymers lacking glutamic acid (TAL) might be explained by its high average molecular weight. Terpolymers which lack lysine are not efficiently recognized by anti-Copolymer 1 antibodies. These data suggest that charged amino acids like lysine may play a role in the recognition and binding of Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers.

TABLE 7 Percent Binding in separate experiments Terpolymers MW* 1 2 3 3 Mean S.D. TAL 20,000 111.1 130.1 115.8 114.0 117.8 8.48 GAL 8,850 7.5 10.8 9.3 9.2 9.2 1.35 GTL 11,050 98.7 87.0 n.d.^(‡) n.d.^(‡) 92.9 8.30 TGA 7,600 87.9 79.3 n.d.^(‡) n.d.^(‡) 83.6 6.12 *daltons. ^(‡)n.d.—not determined. Cross Reactivity of Terpolymers with Copolymer 1-Reactive Monoclonal Antibodies

The cross reactivity of the Terpolymers with Copolymer 1 at the level of B cell response is tested using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), that are either reactive with both Copolymer 1 and MBP (mAbs 2-2-18 and 3-1-45), or are reactive with only Copolymer 1 (mAbs 3-3-9 and 5-7-2). See Teitelbaum et al., 88 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 9528 (1991).

Table 8 illustrates that the Terpolymers differed in their ability to bind these mAbs. TGA and GTL were not recognized by any of the Copolymer 1 specific mAbs. On the other hand, TAL and GAL bound to Copolymer 1 and MBP specific mAbs with an affinity which is similar to that of Copolymer 1. GAL and TAL differed only in the binding to one mAb i.e. 5-7-2 which bound to TAL and not to GAL.

TABLE 8 Cross reactivity of Terpolymers with MBP- and Copolymer 1-reactive B cell antibodies Antibody Cross reactivity with Copolymer 1 (%) Polypeptide 2-2-18 3-1-45 3-3-9 5-7-2 SD-1689 - GAL 96 98 107 10 SD-1690 - TGA 3 2 1 10 SD-1691 - TAL 96 98 103 106 SD-1697 - GTL 1 2 1 1 2-2-18 is anti mouse MBP monoclonal antibody cross reactive with Copolymer 1 3-1-45 is anti Copolymer 1 monoclonal antibody cross reactive with MBP 3-3-9 is anti Copolymer 1 monoclonal antibody non cross reactive with MBP 5-7-2 is anti Copolymer 1 monoclonal antibody non cross reactive with MBP

Example 9 Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers Compete with Collagen for Binding to Human Leukocyte Antigens and Inhibit Collagen-Specific T-Cell Response

This example illustrates that Copolymer 1, TAL, GAL, GTL, and TGA compete for binding to MHC proteins with the rheumatoid arthritis-associated immunodominant collagen antigen, CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3).

Methods Protein Expression and Purification

Recombinant HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR4 molecules (encoded by DRA/DRB I *0101 and *0401, respectively) were expressed in Drosophila S2 cells as described in Stern, L. et al. 68 CELL 465 (1992) and Dessen, A. et al. 7 IMMUNITY 473 (1997). Cells were grown in roller bottles at 26° C. in Excell 401 medium (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) supplemented with 0-5% fetal bovine serum (Sigma). Cells were induced by addition of CuS0₄ to 1 mM final concentration, then incubated an additional 4-5 days. Immunoaffinity purification of recombinant HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR4 is performed as previously reported by Stern, L. et al. 68 CELL 465 (1992) and Dessen, A. et al. 7 IMMUNITY 473 (1997). Supernatant from harvested cells is sequentially passed through Protein A, Protein G and Protein A-LB3.1 columns, followed by elution of the bound HLA-DR with 50 mM 3cyclohexylamino-1-propane sulfonic acid (CAPS), pH 11.5, and neutralized with 200 mm phosphate (pH 6.0). The eluate is concentrated on a Centriprep 10 membrane (Amicon). Protein concentrations were determined by bicinchoninic acid assay (Pierce Chemical Co.).

Polypeptide Labeling

The present polypeptides and the HA 306-318 peptide were biotinylated as in Examples 4 and 7.

Class II MHC Protein Binding Assay

In this assay, water-soluble recombinantly-produced proteins were incubated with biotinylated polypeptides of the present invention and varying quantities of unlabeled competitor polypeptides, collagen CII peptides or influenza virus HA peptides. Assays were performed in 96-well microliter immunoassay plates (PRO-BOND™, Falcon) which were coated with affinity-purified LB3.1 monoclonal antibodies. Antibody coating is performed by placing 100 μl of 10.0 μg/ml LB3.1 monoclonal antibodies in each well and incubating at 4° C. for 18 hrs. Microtiter wells were then blocked with Tris buffered saline (TBS) containing 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 1 hr at 37° C. and washed three times with TTBS. Before sample addition, 50 μl of TBS containing 1% BSA is added to each well. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) is 150 mM sodium chloride, 7.5 mM sodium phosphate dibasic, 2.5 mM sodium phosphate monobasic, pH 7.2. Tris buffered saline (TBS) is 137 mM sodium chloride, 25 mM TRIS pH 8.0, 2.7 mM potassium chloride. TTBS is TBS with 0.05% Tween-2G. Other solutions used in this assay are described in Fridkis-Hareli, M. et al., 160 J. IMMUNOL. 4386 (1998).

Binding analysis is performed by incubating the water soluble DR molecules with biotinylated polypeptides of the present invention and varying concentrations of unlabeled inhibitors (Copolymer 1, TAL, GAL, GTL, TGA, Collagen CII 261-273 peptide or HA 306-318 peptide). The collagen type CII peptide 261-273, has SEQ ID NO: 3 (AGFKGEQGPKGEP) and a molecular weight of 1516. The concentration of DR employed is 0.15 μM. The final concentration of biotinylated Copolymer 1 or terpolymers is 1.5 μM. Incubation is for 40 hr at 37° C. in 50 μl binding buffer at pH 5.0.

Bound label is detected using streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase as follows. Plates were washed three times with TTBS and incubated with 100 μl of streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase (1:3000, BioRad, Richmond, Va.) for 1 hr at 37° C., followed by addition of p-nitrophenyl phosphate in triethanolamine buffer (BioRad). The absorbency at 410 nm is monitored by a microplate reader (model MR4000, Dynatech, Chantilly, Va.).

T cell hybridoma and antigen presenting cell (APC) binding assays

Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers were tested to ascertain if they could inhibit activation of T cells responsive to the collagen CII peptide. Mouse DR1-restricted 3.19 and 19.3 T cell hybridomas and mouse DR4-restricted 3838 and D3 T cell hybridomas were used. Rosloniec, E. F., et al., 185 J. EXP. MED. 1113-1122 (1997); Andersson, E. C., et al., PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA (1998). Antigen presenting cells (APCs) were L cells transfected with DR1 (the L57.23 cell line provided by Rosloniec, E. F., et al., 185 J. Exp. Med. 1113-1122 (1997)), L cells transfected with DR4, and Priess cells (DRB1*0401/DRB4*0101). T cell stimulation experiments were performed in 96-well microliter plates in a total volume of 02 ml. Irradiated (3000-rad) APC (2.5×10⁴/well) were coincubated with CII 261-273 (40 μg/ml) and varying concentrations of the present polypeptides for 2 hr at 37° C., then T cells (5×10⁴/well) were added and the incubation is continued for 24 hr at 37° C. Supernatants (30 μl) were removed and incubated with IL-2 dependent CTL-L (5×10⁴/well) for 12 hr, followed by labeling with ³H-thymidine (1 μCi/well) for 12 hr. Plates were harvested and the radioactivity is monitored using a 1450 microbeta Plus liquid scintillation counter (Wallac, Gaithersburg, Md.).

Results Class II MHC Protein Binding Assay

The recombinant water-soluble HLA-DR1 and -DR4 proteins produced in insect cells were largely free of bound autoantigens or other peptides. Hence, data obtained from insect cell produced proteins can more accurately indicate the actual binding affinities for polypeptides. Fridkis-Hareli et al., 160 J. IMMUNOL. 4386 (1998) (the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference).

Competitive binding of each of the Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers to HLA-DR1, HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 molecules is depicted in FIG. 5. Binding of each of the Copolymer 1 (YEAK, top panel FIG. 5A) and Terpolymers is substantially greater than that of the CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3) peptide, as judged by quantity of CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3) peptide required for 50% inhibition. As also observed above, TAL bound HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR4 with greater affinity than did

Copolymer 1. The kinetics of inhibition by unlabeled TAL (YAK, bottom panel FIG. 5A) polypeptides were also somewhat superior to that of the influenza virus peptide

HA 306-318 (SEQ ID NO: 2). However, the influenza virus peptide HA 306-318 inhibited the binding of Copolymer 1 and of Terpolymers more efficiently than the CII 261-273 peptide.

T cell Hybridoma and antigen presenting cell binding assay results

Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers also inhibited DR1-restricted T cell activation by CII collagen peptide (FIG. 6). T cell activation was detected by observing IL-2 production by DR1-restricted-CII-specific T cell hybridomas. Collagen peptide CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3) at varying concentrations was coincubated with one of the present polypeptides and then T cells (clone 3.19 or 19.3 as indicated) were added, and the mixtures were further incubated. The supernatants from these incubated cells are removed, and were assayed for IL-2 by observing whether the supernatant induced proliferation of IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL-L). The extent of inhibition by TAL is shown as solid circles (), by TGA as solid triangles (▴), by GTL as open triangles (Δ), and by Copolymer 1 as solid squares (▪). Percent inhibition of CTL-L proliferation shown on the ordinate was calculated using equation 1.

Again, TAL is the most potent inhibitor. However, GTL and Copolymer 1 were also potent inhibitors of T cell activation by the CII collagen peptide. TGA inhibited activation less efficiently. Similar results were obtained with other batches of Copolymer 1 and Terpolymers.

A similar inhibition of activation of DR4-restricted T cells was observed, as shown in FIG. 7. IL-2 production was used to assess activation of DR4-restricted CII-specific T cell hybridomas (3838 and D3). The presence of different polypeptides inhibited IL-2 production, indicating that they inhibited DR4-restricted T cell activation. FIG. 7A shows the effects of coincubating irradiated 3838 or D3 Priess cells with collagen peptide CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3) at the fixed concentration of 40 μg/ml, and with varying concentrations of polypeptides, for 2 hr at 37° C. FIG. 7B shows the effects of incubating L cells transfected with a gene encoding HLA-DR4 with collagen peptide CII 261-273 (SEQ ID NO: 3) at the fixed concentration of 40 μg/ml, and with varying concentrations of GAL, TAL, GTL, TGA, and Copolymer 1, for 2 hr at 37° C. T cells were then added (clones 3838 or D3 as indicated), and samples were further incubated for 24 hr at 37° C. Supernatants (30 μl) were then removed, and were assayed for activation by IL-2-induced proliferation of IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL-L). Each polypeptide mixture was tested in duplicate. The concentration of the present polypeptides is indicated on the abscissa. The extent of inhibition by TAL is shown as solid circles (), by TGA as solid triangles (▴), by GTL as open triangles (Δ), and by Copolymer 1 as solid squares (▪). Percent inhibition of CTL-L proliferation shown on the ordinate was calculated using equation 1.

Example 10 Copolymer 1 Inhibits Activation of T Cells Responsive to a Myasthenia Gravis Antigenic Peptide Methods Copolymer 1

Copolymer 1 was obtained from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Petach Tikva, Israel).

Myasthenia Gravis-Related Peptides were synthesized on an Applied Biosystems Peptide Synthesizer using solid phase techniques. Barany et al., THE PEPTIDES 1 (1979). Peptides were purified by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptides used were the p259 peptide, see Zisman et al., Hum. Immuol. 1995 November; 44(3):121-30; Brocke et al., Immunology 1990 April; 69(4):495-500.

IL-2 Secretion

Secretion of IL-2 by the cell line WCB AB in response to the myasthenia gravis peptides and/or Copolymer 1 were evaluated. Cells (1.5×10⁴) were incubated with the indicated antigen. Secretion of IL-2 by the cell line WCB AB was used as a measure of activation of that T cell line.

Results

Table 9 indicates that the p259 peptide stimulates T cell secretion. However, when Copolymer 1 is incubated with the p259 peptide, T cell secretion of IL-2 is inhibited in a dose-related fashion. At 100 μM Copolymer 1 inhibits about 91% of IL-2 secretion (Table 10), indicating that Copolymer 1 is a potent inhibitor of T cell activation.

TABLE 9 IL-2 secretion from WCB AB line in response to p259 p 259 conc. Avg OD IL-2 (μM) (450 nm) SD % CV (pg/ml) 0 0.077 0.01 0 0.25 0.135 0.00 24 0.5 0.227 0.01 3.9 72 1 0.387 0.01 2.9 159 2 0.725 0.02 2.4 347

TABLE 10 IL-2 secretion from WCB AB line in response to Cop1 alone or 2 μM p259 + Cop1 Cop1 Avg OD IL-2 (μM) (450 nm) SD % CV (pg/ml) % Inhibition 0 0.725 0.02 2.4 347 1 0.086 0.01 0 2 0.079 0.00 0 10 0.086 0.00 0 20 0.266 0.01 8.0 93 73 60 0.166 0.01 40 88 100 0.151 0.01 11.2 32 91 Absorbance is the average of 3 samples. Confidence values were calculated relative to the absorbance of a blank (% CV = SD/(Avg − blank)*100). 

1. A terpolymer consisting essentially of tyrosine, alanine and lysine randomly polymerized into a polypeptide.
 2. The terpolymer of claim 1 which is substantially free of glutamic acid.
 3. The terpolymer of claim 1 wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.3 to about 0.6; and lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.1 to about 0.5.
 4. The terpolymer of claim 1 wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.10, said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.54, and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.35.
 5. A terpolymer consisting essentially of glutamic acid, tyrosine and lysine randomly polymerized into a polypeptide.
 6. The terpolymer of claim 5 which is substantially free of alanine.
 7. The terpolymer of claim 5 wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300; said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.3 to about 0.7.
 8. The terpolymer of claim 5 wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.26, said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.16 and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.58.
 9. A terpolymer consisting essentially of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine randomly polymerized into a polypeptide.
 10. The terpolymer of claim 9 which is substantially free of tyrosine.
 11. The terpolymer of claim 9, wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300; said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.600; and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.2 to about 0.7.
 12. The terpolymer of claim 9 wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.15, said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.48 and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.36.
 13. A terpolymer consisting essentially of tyrosine, glutamic acid and alanine randomly polymerized into a polypeptide, wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300, and said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.800.
 14. The terpolymer of claim 13 wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.14, said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.21, and said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.65.
 15. The terpolymer of claim 13 which is substantially free of tyrosine lysine.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a terpolymer comprising three different amino acids randomly polymerized into a polypeptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said three different amino acids are selected from the group of tyrosine, glutamic acid, alanine and lysine.
 17. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16 wherein said terpolymer consists essentially of tyrosine, alanine and lysine.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17 wherein said terpolymer is substantially free of glutamic acid.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17 wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.3 to about 0.6; and lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.1 to about 0.5.
 20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17 wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.10, said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.54, and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.35.
 21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16 wherein said terpolymer consists essentially of glutamic acid, tyrosine and lysine.
 22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 21 wherein said polypeptide is substantially free of alanine.
 23. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 21 wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300; said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.3 to about 0.7.
 24. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 21 wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.26, said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.16 and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.58.
 25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16 wherein said terpolymer consists essentially of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine.
 26. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 25 wherein said polypeptide is substantially free of tyrosine.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 25, wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300; said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.600; and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.2 to about 0.7.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 25 wherein said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.15, said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.48 and said lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.36.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16 wherein said terpolymer consists essentially of tyrosine, glutamic acid and alanine, and wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300, and said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.800.
 30. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 29 wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.14, said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.21, and said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.65.
 31. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 29 which is substantially free of lysine.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16 wherein said terpolymer has a molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16 wherein said terpolymer has a molecular weight of about 4,000 to about 9,000 daltons.
 34. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said autoimmune disease is a B cell mediated autoimmune disease.
 35. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said autoimmune disease is a T cell mediated autoimmune disease.
 36. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said autoimmune disease is an arthritic condition.
 37. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said autoimmune disease is a demyelinating disease.
 38. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said autoimmune disease is an inflammatory disease.
 39. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune oophoritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune uveoretinitis, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, colitis, contact sensitivity disease, diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, idiopathic myxedema, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
 40. A method for treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a terpolymer polypeptide comprising three different amino acids randomly polymerized into a polypeptide, wherein said three different amino acids are selected from the group of tyrosine, glutamic acid, alanine and lysine.
 41. The method of claim 40 wherein said terpolymer polypeptide consists essentially of tyrosine, alanine and lysine.
 42. The method of claim 40 wherein said terpolymer polypeptide consists essentially of glutamic acid, tyrosine and lysine.
 43. The method of claim 40 wherein said terpolymer polypeptide consists essentially of glutamic acid, alanine and lysine.
 44. The method of claim 40 wherein said terpolymer polypeptide consists essentially of tyrosine, glutamic acid and alanine, and wherein said tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.250; said glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.300, and said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.005 to about 0.800.
 45. A method for treating an autoimmune disease which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting essentially of amino acids tyrosine, glutamic acid, alanine and lysine, wherein said autoimmune disease is not multiple sclerosis.
 46. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide inhibits activation of T cells.
 47. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide activates T cell suppressor mechanisms.
 48. The method of claim 40, wherein said polypeptide inhibits activation of T cells responsive to myelin basic protein.
 49. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide inhibits activation of T cells responsive to collagen type II peptide.
 50. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide binds to a class II MHC protein.
 51. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide binds to HLA-DR1.
 52. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide binds to HLA-DR2.
 53. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide binds to HLA-DR4.
 54. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide binds to an antigen presenting cell.
 55. The method of claim 40, wherein said autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis.
 56. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said autoimmune disease is autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune oophoritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune uveoretinitis, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, colitis, contact sensitivity disease, diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, idiopathic myxedema, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
 57. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 40,000 daltons.
 58. The method of claim 40 or 45, wherein said polypeptide has a molecular weight of from about 4,000 to about 12,000 daltons.
 59. A synthetic peptide having an amino acid sequence comprising at least three amino acids selected from the group of amino acids consisting of aromatic amino acids, negatively charged amino acids, positively charged amino acids, and aliphatic amino acids, wherein the synthetic peptide is at least seven amino acid residues in length and is capable of binding to an MHC class II protein associated with an autoimmune disease.
 60. The synthetic peptide of claim 59 in which the aromatic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, valine, and phenylalanine.
 61. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, in which the positively charged amino acid is lysine, and the sequence comprises lysine-tyrosine; lysine-valine; or lysine-phenylalanine.
 62. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, wherein the negatively charged amino acid is glutamic acid, and the sequence comprises glutamic acid-lysine-tyrosine; glutamic acid-lysine-valine; or glutamic acid-lysine-phenylalanine.
 63. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, wherein the aliphatic amino acid is alanine, and the sequence comprises glutamic acid-lysine-tyrosine-alanine; glutamic acid-lysine-valine-alanine; or glutamic acid-lysine-phenylalanine-alanine.
 64. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, wherein the sequence comprises an amino-terminal alanine, and alanine-glutamic acid-lysine-tyrosine-alanine; alanine-glutamic acid-lysine-valine-alanine; or alanine-glutamic acid-lysine-phenylalanine-alanine.
 65. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, wherein the aliphatic amino acid is alanine and the sequence comprises lysine-glutamic acid-tyrosine-alanine; lysine-tyrosine-alanine-glutamic acid; lysine-glutamic acid-valine-alanine; lysine-valine-alanine-glutamic acid; lysine-glutamic acid-phenylalanine-alanine; or lysine-phenylalanine-alanine-glutamic acid.
 66. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, wherein the aliphatic amino acid is alanine and the sequence comprises lysine-tyrosine-alanine-alanine; lysine-lysine-tyrosine-alanine; lysine-valine-alanine-alanine; lysine-lysine-valine-alanine; lysine-phenylalanine-alanine-alanine; or lysine-lysine-phenylalanine-alanine.
 67. The synthetic peptide of claim 59, wherein the peptide further comprises two alanine residues and the sequence comprises alanine-lysine-tyrosine-alanine-glutamic acid; glutamic acid-alanine-lysine-tyrosine-alanine; alanine-lysine-valine-alanine-glutamic acid; glutamic acid-alanine-.lysine-valine-alanine; alanine-lysine-phenylalanine-alanine-glutamic acid; or glutamic acid-alanine-lysine-phenylalanine-alanine.
 68. The synthetic peptide of claim 64, wherein the autoimmune disease is an arthritic condition.
 69. The synthetic peptide of claim 68, wherein the arthritic condition is rheumatoid arthritis.
 70. A composition according to claim 59 wherein the peptide is 7-100 amino acid residues in length.
 71. A composition which is a synthetic peptide having therapeutic activity in a subject suffering from an autoimmune disease, the amino acid sequence of said peptide having at least one of each of amino acids glutamic acid, lysine, and alanine and an amino acid selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, valine, and phenylalanine.
 72. A composition according to claim 71 wherein the peptide is 7-100 amino acids in length.
 73. A composition according to claim 71 wherein the peptide is 7-50 amino acids in length.
 74. A composition according to claim 69 wherein the peptide is 7-25 amino acids in length.
 75. A composition according to claim 69 wherein the peptide is 7-15 amino acids in length.
 76. A composition according to claim 59 formulated as a unitary dosage in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 77. A composition according to claim 59 which is substantially pure.
 78. A composition according to claim 59 having greater affinity for the antigen binding groove of an MHC class II protein associated with the autoimmune disease than a type II collagen 261-273 peptide.
 79. A composition according to claim 71 comprising amino acid analogs at residue locations and in amounts sufficient to inhibit protease degradation of the peptide in the subject.
 80. An isolated peptide composition having a sequence selected from the group consisting of: AKEYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 25), AAEYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 26), AAKYAEAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 27), and EAKYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 28).
 81. An isolated peptide according to any of the peptides of claim 80 in which the tyrosine (Y) has been substituted by a valine (V) or a phenylalanine (F).
 82. An isolated peptide composition having a sequence selected from the group consisting of: AEKYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 29), AKEYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 25), KEAYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 30), AEEYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 31), AAEYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 26), EKAYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 32), AAKYEAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 33), AAKYAEAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 27), EAAYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 34), EKKYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 35), EAKYAAAAAAKAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 28), AKKYEAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 55), AAEYKAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 37), AAKYEAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 38), AAKYAEAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 39), AEYAKAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 40), AEKAYAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 41), AYKAEAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 42), and AKYAEAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 43), the peptide having high affinity for an MHC class II protein.
 83. An isolated peptide according to any of the sequences of claim 82 in which the tyrosine (Y) has been substituted by a valine (V) or a phenylalanine (F).
 84. An isolated peptide composition having an amino acid sequence capable of inhibiting an immune response in a subject to an autoantigen, wherein a position in the amino acid sequence of the peptide that corresponds to an antigen binding pocket in a peptide binding groove of an MHC class II DR protein is identified as a particular amino acid.
 85. An isolated peptide composition according to claim 84 wherein the autoantigen is associated with a condition selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
 86. An isolated peptide composition according to claim 84, wherein the MHC class II protein is selected from the group consisting of an MHC class II HLA-DR1 protein, and an MHC class II HLA-DR4 protein.
 87. An isolated peptide composition according to claim 84, wherein the MHC class II protein is an MHC class II HLA-DR2 protein.
 88. An isolated peptide composition according to claim 84, wherein the amino acid residue in the position of the sequence that corresponds to the P1 pocket in the MHC class II peptide binding groove is selected from the group consisting of a tyrosine, a valine, and a phenylalanine.
 89. An isolated peptide composition according to claim 84, wherein the amino acid residue in a first amino acid position of the sequence that corresponds to the P1 pocket in the MHC class II peptide binding groove is alanine.
 90. An isolated peptide composition according to claim 84, wherein the amino acid residue located eight residues beyond the first amino acid position of the sequence that corresponds to the P1 pocket in the MHC class II peptide binding groove is selected from the group consisting of lysine and alanine.
 91. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising a first peptide sequence and a second peptide sequence, wherein the preparation is a mixture of a first peptide and a second peptide of different amino acid sequences both according to claim 84 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the first sequence having in addition a lysine residue and the second sequence having an alanine residue at the amino acid position eight residues beyond the amino acid corresponding to the P1 pocket in the MHC class II peptide binding groove.
 92. A method of treating a subject having an autoimmune disease, comprising: (a) selecting a therapeutic agent comprising a synthetic heteropolymer having at least two different amino acids, a first being an amino acid which is charged and a second being an amino acid which is hydrophobic, the amino acids being polymerized in a linear configuration, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and (b) administering the therapeutic agent to the subject having the autoimmune disease; with the proviso that when the autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis the synthetic heteropolymer is other than Copolymer
 1. 93. A method according to claim 92, wherein in step (a) the charged amino acid is selected from the group consisting of lysine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.
 94. A method according to claim 92, comprising in step (a) having a third amino acid which is selected from the group of charged amino acids, the third amino acid being a different amino acid from the second amino acid.
 95. A method according to claim 92, wherein the hydrophobic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine, isoleucine, alanine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine.
 96. A method according to claim 95, wherein the heteropolymer comprises the amino acids lysine, alanine, and tyrosine.
 97. A method according to claim 95, wherein the heteropolymer comprises the amino acids lysine, glutamic acid, alanine, and phenylalanine.
 98. A method according to claim 95, wherein in the heteropolymer comprises the amino acids lysine, glutamic acid, alanine, and valine.
 99. A method according to claim 96, wherein the heteropolymer of step (a) contains lysine, alanine, and tyrosine polymerized in a molar ratio of at least 3 moles of lysine per mole of tyrosine, and at least 4 moles of alanine per mole of tyrosine.
 100. A method according to claim 99, wherein the molar ratio of lysine:alanine:tyrosine is 4.0:5.0:1.0.
 101. A method according to claim 95, wherein the heteropolymer of step (a) contains the amino acids glutamic acid: lysine: alanine polymerized in a molar ratio of 1.5:4.0:5.0.
 102. A method according to claim 93, wherein the heteropolymer contains the amino acids glutamic acid: alanine: tyrosine polymerized in a molar ratio of 1.5:5.0:1.0.
 103. A method according to claim 93, wherein the heteropolymer contains the amino acids glutamic acid: lysine: tyrosine polymerized in a molar ratio of 1.5:4.0:1.0.
 104. A method according to claim 92, wherein step (a) further comprises selecting the heteropolymer that inhibits binding of an antigenic peptide to an MHC class II protein.
 105. A method according to claim 92, wherein step (a) further comprises selecting the heteropolymer that inhibits class II-specific T cell responses to an MHC class II protein-peptide complex.
 106. A method according to claim 104, wherein the antigenic peptide is associated with an autoimmune disease.
 107. A method according to claim 105, wherein the MHC class 11 protein is associated with an autoimmune disease.
 108. A method according to claim 92, wherein step (b) further comprises supplementing the combined heteropolymer and carrier with at least an additional therapeutic agent.
 109. A method according to claim 108, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting the additional therapeutic agent from the group consisting of an antibody, an enzyme inhibitor, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, a steroid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an antimetabolite, a cytokine, and a soluble cytokine receptor.
 110. A method according to claim 108, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting an additional therapeutic agent that is an inducer of synthesis of a cytokine in a subject.
 111. A method according to claim 109, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting a cytokine from the group consisting of interferon-13, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10.
 112. A method according to claim 109, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting an enzyme inhibitor from the group consisting of a protease inhibitor and a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
 113. A method according to claim 108, wherein step (a) further comprises selecting the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as suitable for administration to the subject by a route selected from the group consisting of intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, oral, and transdermal administration.
 114. A method of making a therapeutic heteropolymer composition, comprising: (a) selecting three or more amino acids from the group consisting of charged amino acids, aliphatic amino acids, and aromatic amino acids; (b) polymerizing the amino acids selected in step (a) into a heteropolymer having a random linear configuration; (c) obtaining the heteropolymer in step (b) that inhibits binding of an antigenic peptide to an MHC class II protein; and (d) formulating in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the heteropolymer that inhibits binding of an antigenic peptide to an MHC class II protein, to obtain a therapeutic heteropolymer composition.
 115. A method according to claim 114, wherein step (c) further comprises obtaining the heteropolymer that inhibits binding of an antigen which is an autoantigen to an MHC class II protein.
 116. A method according to claim 115, wherein the autoantigen in step (c) is collagen type II peptide 261-273 and the class II MHC protein is MHC HLA-DR1 or MHC HLA-DR4.
 117. A method according to claim 115, wherein the autoantigen in step (c) is myelin basic protein peptide 84-102 and the class II MHC protein is MHC HLA-DR2.
 118. A method according to claim 116, wherein step (c) further comprises obtaining the heteropolymer that, at a concentration of 1.5 micromolar, inhibits 50% binding of collagen type II peptide 261-273, at a concentration of at least 20 micromolar, to a class II MHC HLA-DR1 or MHC HLA-DR4 protein.
 119. A method according to claim 117, wherein step (c) further comprises obtaining the heteropolymer that, at a concentration of 1.5 micromolar, inhibits 50% binding of myelin basic protein peptide 84-102, at a concentration of at least 20 micromolar, to a class II MHC HLA-DR2 protein.
 120. A method according to claim 114, comprising prior to step (a) the additional step of producing the class II MHC protein recombinantly in a non-mammalian cell.
 121. A method for obtaining an MHC class II binding motif amino acid sequence in a mixture of synthetic peptide heteropolymers having therapeutic activity in a subject, comprising: (a) binding the mixture of synthetic heteropolymers to MHC class II protein molecules to form heteropolymer-MHC protein complexes; (b) removing by peptidase enzyme digestion the amino terminal amino acid residues of the heteropolymers protruding from the heteropolymer-MHC protein complex to align amino termini of the heteropolymers to the edge of the MHC protein complexes; and (c) eluting the aligned heteropolymers from the MHC protein by dissociating the complexes to release the amino terminal aligned heteropolymers having the binding motif.
 122. A method according to claim 121 wherein an additional step (d) comprises determining the amino terminal sequence of the aligned heteropolymers, to identify the binding motif.
 123. A method according to claim 122 wherein an additional step (e) comprises comparing the amino terminal sequence of the aligned heteropolymers to the amino acid sequence of the synthetic heteropolymer composition.
 124. A method according to claim 121, wherein the MHC class II protein is associated with an autoimmune disease.
 125. A method according to claim 124, wherein the autoimmune disease is an arthritic condition or a demyelinating condition.
 126. A method according to claim 122, wherein an additional step (e) comprises synthesizing a plurality of peptide preparations, each peptide preparation having a binding motif amino acid sequence.
 127. A method according to claim 126 wherein an additional step (f) comprises determining the affinity of each of the synthesized peptides for the MHC class II protein.
 128. A method for treating a subject having an arthritic condition, comprising: obtaining a therapeutic composition which is a pure heteropolymer comprised of amino acids; and administering the composition in an effective dosage to the subject, such that the arthritic condition is remediated.
 129. A method according to claim 128, wherein the effective dosage is at least mg per day.
 130. A method according to claim 128, wherein the effective dosage is at least 10 mg per day.
 131. A method according to claim 128, wherein the effective dosage is at least 15 mg per day.
 132. A method according to claim 128, wherein the effective dosage is at least 20 mg per day.
 133. A method according to claim 128, wherein the effective dosage is substantially in the range of 25 to 400 μg per kg of the subject per day.
 134. A kit for assaying the binding of an analyte to an MHC protein, comprising a water-soluble MHC protein which has been recombinantly produced in a non-mammalian cell, a reaction chamber for containing the analyte and the MHC protein, means for detecting binding of the analyte to the MHC protein, a container, and instructions for use.
 135. A kit according to claim 134, wherein the MHC protein is an MHC class II protein selected from the group consisting of an MHC class II HLA-DR1, an MHC class II HLA-DR2 and an MHC class II HLA-DR4 protein.
 136. A kit according to claim 134, comprising in addition an autoantigenic peptide.
 137. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18 SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 42, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 48, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 56, and SEQ ID NO: 57, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 138. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 28 and SEQ ID NO: 41, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 139. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 27 and SEQ ID NO:
 41. 140. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; and SEQ ID NO: 28, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 141. A method for treating an autoimmune disease which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 42, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 48, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 56, and SEQ ID NO:
 57. 142. A method for treating an autoimmune disease which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 28 and SEQ ID NO:
 41. 143. A method for treating an autoimmune disease which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 27 and SEQ ID NO:
 41. 144. A method for treating an autoimmune disease which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a copeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; and SEQ ID NO: 28,
 145. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide inhibits activation of T cells.
 146. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide activation of T cell suppression mechanisms.
 147. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide inhibits activation of T cells responsive to myelin basic protein.
 148. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide inhibits activation of T cells responsive to collagen type II peptide.
 149. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide binds to a class II MHC protein.
 150. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide binds to HLA-DR1.
 151. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide binds to HLA-DR2.
 152. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide binds to HLA-DR4.
 153. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said copeptide binds to an antigen presenting cell.
 154. The method of any one of claims 141-144, wherein said autoimmune disease is autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune oophoritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune uveoretinitis, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, colitis, contact sensitivity disease, diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, idiopathic myxedema, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
 155. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a copeptide consisting essentially of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 42, SEQ ID NO: 43 SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 48 SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 52 SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 56 or SEQ ID NO:
 57. 156. A method of anyone of claim 40 or 45 wherein said autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis.
 157. A method for treating a subject afflicted with an autoimmune disease which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of a mixture of polypeptides, each polypeptide consisting essentially of glutamic acid, tyrosine, alanine and lysine and the mixture having an average molecular weight of 2,000 to 40,000 daltons, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the autoimmune disease is not multiple sclerosis.
 158. A method for treating a subject afflicted with an autoimmune disease which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of a mixture of polypeptides, each polypeptide consisting essentially of glutamic acid, tyrosine, alanine and lysine and the mixture having an average molecular weight of 2,000 to 40,000 daltons, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the autoimmune disease is autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune oophoritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune uveoretinitis, Crone's disease, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, colitis, contact sensitivity disease, diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, idiopathic myxedema, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
 159. The method of claim 157, wherein in the mixture of polypeptides the glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.14; the tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.10; said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.43; and lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.34.
 160. The method of claim 157, wherein the mixture of polypeptides has an average molecular weight of about 4,000 to about 12,000 daltons.
 161. The method of claim 157, wherein the mixture of polypeptides has an average molecular weight of about 4,000 to about 9,000 daltons.
 162. The method of claim 157, wherein in the mixture of polypeptides the glutamic acid is present in a mole fraction of about 0.14; the tyrosine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.10; said alanine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.43; and lysine is present in a mole fraction of about 0.34, and wherein the mixture of polypeptides has an average molecular weight of about 4,000 to about 9,000 daltons.
 163. The method of claim 157, wherein the autoimmune disease is a B cell mediated autoimmune disease.
 164. The method of claim 157, wherein the autoimmune disease is a T cell mediated autoimmune disease.
 165. The method of claim 157, wherein the autoimmune disease is an arthritic condition.
 166. The method of claim 157, wherein the autoimmune disease is a demyelinating disease.
 167. The method of claim 157, wherein the autoimmune disease is an inflammatory disease.
 168. The method of claim 157, wherein the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis.
 169. The method of claim 157, wherein the amount of the mixture of polypeptides is at least 5 mg/day.
 170. The method of claim 168, wherein the amount of the mixture of polypeptides is at least 10 mg/day.
 171. The method of claim 169, wherein the amount of the mixture of polypeptides is at least 15 mg/day.
 172. The method of claim 170, wherein the amount of the mixture of polypeptides is at least 20 mg/day.
 173. The method of claim 157, wherein the amount of the mixture of polypeptides is 25-400 μg/kg of the subject per day.
 174. The method of claim 157, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally, topically, by inhalation or by injection.
 175. The method of claim 157, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally.
 176. The method of claim 157, wherein in the pharmaceutical composition is lyophilized. 